Neville urges Carrick to stop playing Yoro at right-back after Everton equaliser

Gary Neville has demanded Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick stop deploying Leny Yoro at right-back, after the 20-year-old Frenchman was directly implicated in Everton’s dramatic stoppage-time equaliser in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Yoro was introduced in the 84th minute as a replacement for Diogo Dalot and positioned on the right side of a back four. Rather than functioning as a full-back, he drifted infield and effectively operated as a third centre-back — leaving space that Everton exploited for the leveller. Neville, speaking on Friday, argued the experiment has to end.

“I don’t think he understands right-back, which is fine — a lot of centre-backs don’t,” Neville said. “But we’ve got to stop bringing him on there and thinking he’s a right-back. My feeling is Michael maybe sees him as a more defensive right-back option, similar to what Liverpool did last night with Ronald Araujo given their issues at right-back.”

Carrick has been using Yoro in the position since pre-season, including during the 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid on 1 August, and has publicly defended the decision. Post-match in that fixture, the United head coach argued that footballing intelligence matters more than positional familiarity.

“A lot of people look at a team sheet and only see positions. I look at players and what they’re capable of doing,” Carrick said at the time. “He’s comfortable on the ball, excellent in one-versus-one situations and understands space. Those are the things that matter most in modern football.”

Carrick also praised Yoro’s attitude when asked to fill the role. “I told him where I wanted him to play, and there wasn’t a single complaint or question. He simply said, ‘No problem, boss,’ and got on with it. That’s the attitude every manager wants.”

Despite that endorsement, Sunday’s result has sharpened the debate. United were two minutes from claiming three points at Everton before the move down Yoro’s flank — where he was criticised for failing to close down Jack Grealish and block the decisive pass across — led to the equaliser. Neville’s renewed criticism suggests the tactical gamble is now carrying a tangible cost.