Manchester United reportedly decides not to sign a new center-back! The club's top brass believes in a once-in-a-century talent and aims to build an Arsenal-style partnership.

The Athletic reported that Manchester United's recruitment team evaluated the center-back position during the summer window but concluded it was not a priority. Lisandro Martinez was injured in the World Cup final, but it is only a muscle strain, and he is expected to be back before the start of the Premier League.

Thus, Manchester United's summer signings will not include a center-back. Although they were linked with defenders like Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven before the end of last season, those were just rumors.

Among the center-backs under Carrick's management, Maguire is already 34, De Ligt hasn't fully recovered from a back surgery last November, and though Lisandro Martinez's injury is minor, doubts remain about his ability to stay fit next season. However, United's top executive Jason Wilcox is determined to see his signing Leny Yoro explode in the new season.

Manchester United spent €60 million to sign the 18-year-old Leny Yoro, who had only one year left on his contract. For Real Madrid, who had planned to sign him cheaply, United's move was like Tottenham's poaching of Matheus Fernandes this summer.

It is claimed that Wilcox and the INEOS management team told Sir Jim Ratcliffe that the deal was good value. Transfer expert Graeme Bailey revealed that Wilcox said Yoro is a "generational talent" worth paying any price to bring in.

Therefore, despite already signing De Ligt, United still spent big money on him. However, to Wilcox's frustration, Yoro's time at United has not been smooth sailing. In just his second preseason game, he suffered a serious foot injury that kept him out for nearly four months.

After that, United went through a series of managerial changes: Ten Hag, Ruben Amorim, Darren Fletcher, and Carrick. Ironically, Yoro never played a single minute for Ten Hag, who signed him, and was thrust straight into Amorim's 3-4-3 formation.

However, in the first half of the season under Amorim, Yoro was one of the few bright spots for United, playing a key role in their run to the Europa League final. Unfortunately, he suffered from "sophomore slump," losing his place due to a dip in form. Notably, in November's away game at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace, he made repeated mistakes and was thoroughly outplayed by French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.

A month later, Amorim was sacked after a heated tactical dispute with Wilcox, which may have included Yoro's usage. Carrick became Yoro's third permanent manager in two years at United, and Yoro did not receive the two essential conditions for a young player's development: stability and security.

Carrick reverted to a four-man defense, but his preferred center-backs were Maguire and Lima. When Lima suffered a calf injury in February, Yoro was called upon by Carrick and started six consecutive games, including a crucial 3-1 home win against Aston Villa. However, he then picked up an injury himself, missing the match against Chelsea, with Mazraoui and Eden Heaven temporarily partnering in central defense. Yoro did not start again before the end of the season.

As the new season approaches, with veteran Casemiro leaving, Carrick's United tactics may change. In his manager's column, he hinted that the team will play more aggressively. This means center-backs need speed, size, and strength to cover large areas and control transitions.

Their goal is to replicate the system of Paris Saint-Germain, who won two consecutive Champions League titles. However, perhaps the Arsenal Premier League-winning partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães is what Wilcox envisions for Yoro.

United believes that the 20-year-old Yoro and 19-year-old Heaven have the potential to form a similarly strong partnership in the future. They just need to develop in a suitable environment. United has arranged for Yoro to undergo strength training this summer to build his physique, so he doesn't waste his 1.9-meter height.

In his first two years in the Premier League, Yoro was tall but thin and lacked heading ability. This is normal for a French center-back, but it must improve. Now that Casemiro has left, United's midfield has lost aerial dominance, and new signings Andre Santos and Youri Tielemans cannot compensate for this deficiency.

In the Premier League, where set pieces are prevalent, winning headers is now crucial. United's lack of height could become a weakness, and Yoro needs to improve and contribute in this area. Veteran Maguire is a role model for him to learn from; the former £80 million most expensive defender is an aerial expert at both ends.

Yoro also needs to improve his ball-playing ability, helping the team play more aggressively and build from the back more often. He has decent technical skills but lacks passing accuracy. Lima is a master in this regard and can be a model for him.

In short, it's time for Yoro to establish himself as a key player under Carrick. De Ligt hasn't played in nearly nine months, and his return date is unknown. Lima may have injury concerns after major tournaments, and Maguire is a year older. These factors pave the way for Yoro to break into the first team. Whether he can seize the opportunity depends on his own performance.