Sagna backs Yoro to shine at Arsenal if he leaves struggling Man United

Former Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna has suggested Leny Yoro could be a future transfer target for the Gunners, claiming the Manchester United centre-back would “shine” in north London if given the opportunity to move.

Yoro, 20, joined United from Lille in the summer of 2024 for £52 million, having previously been linked with Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Arsenal. He has since made 69 appearances across two seasons at Old Trafford.

Sagna, speaking to Action Network, argued that Yoro’s development has been hampered not by his own ability but by the collective struggles of the team around him. “He’s a nice prospect, an amazing player,” Sagna said. “If he came to Arsenal and Arsenal were shining, he would probably have been shining too. So it’s not only about the quality of the player, it’s also about how the team is performing at that time.”

The former France international drew a pointed distinction between individual brilliance and team environment, noting that even standout performers find it harder to flourish in a side lacking cohesion. “When he joined, the team was sick,” Sagna added. “When the team is not in form, to shine individually is more difficult. It’s not impossible — Bruno Fernandes proved it — but if the whole team is struggling, there’s a higher chance you get sick too.”

Sagna did express hope that United would recover, saying he would “love” to see Yoro perform well in a functioning side, describing him as a “top player” who deserves better circumstances.

Yoro had been one of the most sought-after young defenders in Europe before committing to Old Trafford, and Sagna’s comments are likely to fuel speculation about his long-term future should United fail to improve significantly in the coming season.