Leny Yoro drops four-word hint on Man Utd return to provide timely Erik ten Hag boost

French centre back Leny Yoro is nearing a return to action after breaking his foot in pre-season to offer Manchester United a boost after Harry Maguire limped off against Aston Villa

Leny Yoro has provided beleaguered Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag with a timely boost as he nears a return from injury.

The French centre back, a £52m summer signing from Lille, cracked a metatarsal in a pre-season friendly appearance against Arsenal.

But after Harry Maguire confirmed that he is set for a spell on the sidelines having come off at half-time of the scoreless draw away to Aston Villa on Sunday, Yoro, 18, is back running.

Yoro uploaded a video to Instagram of himself jogging on a treadmill with the caption: "On the way back." In late September Ten Hag hinted at progress being made by the teenager but did not provide any timescale for his return.

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."

Entering the second international break of the campaign United have taken just eight points from their first seven league games and only newly promoted Southampton have scored fewer goals.

United’s board met in London on Tuesday with Ten Hag’s future understood to be among the topics up for discussion. But a lack of communication following their monthly summit indicates that he remains safe for now - though patience could quickly run out if results don’t improve quickly.

Ten Hag is taking a brief holiday early in the international break and believes he retains the backing of United’s board. Tuesday’s meeting had already been scheduled with Sir Jim Ratcliffe keen on hosting a monthly get together.

After the bore draw away to Aston Villa on Sunday, the under-pressure Dutchman said: “We are all on board together, on one page, we know what we are working through. It’s a long-term process.

“It’s external noise. Internally we’re disappointed and we know we have to do better. Especially we need to score more. But I don’t have any idea it is different, because they would tell me. We communicate and are very transparent.”

United return to action with a home game versus Brentford on October 19, followed by a Europa League trip to Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce.

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