Neville Demands Carrick Stop Misplacing Yoro at Right-Back
Gary Neville argues Michael Carrick must stop forcing Leny Yoro into a role he does not understand, urging the manager to return the French defender to his natural center-back position.
The turf at the Hill Dickinson Stadium still held the memory of a late, painful scramble when Ainsley Maitland-Niles equalized for Everton. That final minute, a chaotic tangle of limbs and desperation, left Manchester United with a draw and a lingering question mark over their defensive structure. Gary Neville, watching the replay with the sharp eye of a former right-back, saw the same issue emerging again and again: Leny Yoro, out of place, struggling to find his footing in a role that does not fit his physical make-up.
Neville’s critique, shared via Yahoo Sports, is blunt and direct. He does not blame Yoro for the confusion, noting that many center-backs simply do not understand the nuances of the full-back position. The problem, Neville argues, lies with the manager. Michael Carrick keeps rotating the young Frenchman into right-back, treating him as a defensive patch rather than a natural center-back. It is a tactical error that leaves United vulnerable in the final minutes, as seen in the match against the Toffees, where valuable points slipped away due to defensive misplacement.
A misplacement that costs points
The pattern is becoming difficult to ignore. Carrick has deployed Yoro at right-back in multiple recent fixtures, including a 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town and the frustrating 2-2 draw with Everton. In the latter game, United led comfortably before the clock ran out, only to be undone by a late equalizer. Neville points out that Carrick may be viewing Yoro as a defensive stopgap, similar to how Liverpool utilized Ronald Araujo recently, but the results suggest the strategy is flawed. The young defender lacks the lateral agility and positional awareness required for the full-back role, leaving gaps that opponents exploit in crucial moments.
This tactical experimentation has come at a cost to Yoro’s development. Since joining Manchester United in the summer of 2024, the Frenchman has struggled to secure a consistent starting spot. Under Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, he was heavily involved, but the transition to Carrick’s management has seen his minutes dwindle. In the Premier League this season, Yoro has managed only 22 minutes of first-team action. The lack of continuity prevents him from gaining the confidence and experience needed to become a regular fixture in the defense, a stark contrast to his 33 appearances last season.
The future of the back line
Neville’s argument extends beyond a single match. It is about the long-term future of Manchester United’s defense. Harry Maguire, while still a vital presence, is approaching the latter stages of his career. The club needs a reliable center-back who can anchor the back line for years to come. Yoro, with his recovery pace and defensive acumen, represents that future. By keeping him in center-back, paired with Lisandro Martinez, United can build a stable and effective defensive core. The 4-0 win over Sabah in the Champions League, where Yoro started at center-back, offered a glimpse of what is possible when the young defender is deployed in his natural position.
As the Manchester derby looms, the expectation is that the tried-and-tested pairing of Maguire and Martinez will retain their places. This is a sensible decision, but it also highlights the need for a clear plan for Yoro. Neville is right to advocate for a return to center-back. It is not just about fixing a tactical issue in the short term; it is about nurturing a young talent who has the potential to become a cornerstone of the team. The time has come for Carrick to stop experimenting and start building a defense that is both effective and sustainable.
