Erik ten Hag is optimistic about Leny Yoro’s return to training, as the centre-back is making significant progress in his rehabilitation following an injury sustained during pre-season.
Yoro fractured the fifth metatarsal in his left foot during a pre-season friendly against Arsenal and underwent surgery in early August.
Initially, it was expected that he would be sidelined for three months.
However, the 18-year-old has recently returned to Carrington and is no longer using crutches.
Erik ten Hag provided an encouraging update on Yoro’s recovery, indicating that the young defender is on track to make a comeback soon.
“Yes, he is doing very well,” Ten Hag said.
“It is very pleasing that his rehab is going in the right direction and I expect him soon, but what I mean by soon, is that he is now in the right planning process.
“He is in the right spot and he will return as soon as possible into the squad and then the team training.”
Yoro was Erik ten Hag’s first signing of the summer transfer window, joining Manchester United from Lille in a £52 million deal after the club successfully fended off competition from Real Madrid and Liverpool.
He made his debut against Rangers at Murrayfield in July but suffered an injury during the first half of the pre-season tour in the United States
In his absence, Lisandro Martinez and fellow new arrival Matthijs de Ligt have formed a promising partnership at center-back.
Yoro is expected to return to action in November, while Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, and Victor Lindelöf are also nearing their comebacks.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag has received support from his Tottenham counterpart, Ange Postecoglou, who empathized with the under-fire Dutch coach.
United currently sit 11th in the Premier League, just one spot behind Tottenham, and have faced a surge of criticism following two disappointing draws against Crystal Palace and FC Twente.
This slow start has put Ten Hag’s position under scrutiny, as INEOS expects to see a marked improvement in performance against the north London side on Sunday afternoon.
“I think if Erik hadn’t won anything last year, they would be saying he’s just got to win something and everything will be alright,” Postecoglou told reporters.
“That’s probably why I rail against it, because it’s a trap you can fall into, thinking all I have to do [at Tottenham] is win something and everyone is going to love me and think I’m doing a great job.
“That doesn’t exist.
“That’s why I keep saying the focus is on trying to build a group that can have the opportunity to have sustainable success.
“I think you need to do that because success isn’t guaranteed.
“But if you can create something that gives you the opportunity for it on a year-on-year basis, then I think you’ve got more chance of creating a period where the club can undeniably see itself as a contender.”
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