​While a major rebuild in midfield is Manchester United’s priority this summer, reinforcements on the left-hand side, up front, and even in goal are also on the radar. But fans could be forgiven for their surprise to see United linked with centre-backs, given the plethora of options already at Old Trafford.However, Matthijs de Ligt’s long-term injury – the Dutchman has not played since November – and the ongoing niggles both Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire, who turns 34 next season, continue to pick up have created a sense of doubt in Michael Carrick’s backline.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementA shock swoop for Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero has been mooted, while young talents like Kalidou Coulibaly and Abubacarr Sedi Kinteh are also understood to have been under consideration. Yet this approach ignores the outstanding defensive protégé Carrick already has at his disposal: Leny Yoro.Yoro arrived at the Theatre of Dreams with the reputation of being the best centre-back in his age group in Europe. The list of suitors Manchester United fended off, headed by Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, is a testament to this assessment.The deal with LOSC Lille, worth up to £59 million, for a then-18-year-old defender is further evidence of how highly regarded the French starlet was. Undoubtedly, the Red Devils paid over the odds to lure him to Old Trafford, considering the more attractive destinations he was offered in Paris or Madrid. But INEOS saw it as a price worth paying.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTransfer expert Graeme Bailey reveals United’s hierarchy, now led by sporting director Jason Wilcox, believe Yoro is a “generational talent”, one worth going all-out for, even during a summer where another centre-back, De Ligt, was signed. But it has not been a smooth ride since arriving in Manchester, with a serious foot injury sustained in just his second pre-season match ruling him out for nearly four months.This was then followed by the chaos of a change in the dugout, as INEOS axed Erik ten Hag in favour of Ruben Amorim, and the change in formation the switch brought about. Having not played a single minute under the manager who signed him, Yoro was now forced to adapt to a system he had never played, under someone who had never coached in England before.The performances were predictably bad; the results even worse, though Yoro was actually a rare bright spot during Amorim’s debut campaign, playing a key role in propelling United to the final of the Europa League. He was one of the only starters who could hold their head high at full-time in the San Mames, with United having lost 1-0 to a dreadful Spurs side.Unfortunately, Yoro succumbed to the fate of second season syndrome last year. The Saint-Maurice native began as first-choice in Amorim’s back three, but soon lost his place after a drop in form. This came to a head with a mistake-laden showing against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in November