Arsenal Legend Slams Manchester United Defender Following Dismal Loss to Newcastle

Leny Yoro and Joelinton. Photo. Imago

Arsenal Legend Slams Manchester United Defender Following Dismal Loss to Newcastle

Evans Ousuru 10:45 - 15.04.2025

Former Arsenal striker has criticised Manchester United defender for his role in Newcastle United's second goal.

Thierry Henry has blasted Manchester United defender Leny Yoro  for his reaction after Harvey Barnes' second goal on Sunday. 

Henry who was on Monday Night Sky Sports Show alongside Jamie Carragher as reported by the Daily Mail, criticized Leny Yoro for lacking desire to track back Harvey Barnes after being left on the deck.

Barnes forced Noussair Mazraoui into a mistake midway into United's half to claim the ball and beat three defenders to fire past Altay Bayindir in Newcastle's 4-1 demolition job.  

Yoro, one of the men Barnes left in the dust, immediately looked over at the linesman - despite there being no hint of a foul or offside in the build-up. 

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Henry, in his scathing assessment of the young French centre back performance, said: "Leny Yoro doesn't go back to try and defend. The desire was on Newcastle's side. They're just not good enough.

"That (Barnes goal) should never happen. Pause on Yoro. I don't know why... I don't know what he is looking at? Are you looking at the linesman, trying to see if he is going to bail you out, I don't know? 

"I don't know if he thought there was an offside. We all know it's a goal. What are you looking at? I actually don't know. I've never seen that before."

It was not the first time United had conceded a goal from an unlikely position.

Barnes' storming run had echoes of Anthony Elanga's winner for Nottingham Forest on April 1, when the former United star ran 85 metres in nine seconds without a credible challenge before firing past Andre Onana.

Carragher was disappointed that United were still backtracking against Newcastle and didn't make life hard for Barnes. "How bad are Manchester United? They lack everything, Manchester United," he said.

"Harvey Barnes' first touch, you've got two defenders before he gets to the goal and two defenders chasing him."

United's performance against Newcastle drew widespread criticism and it left the Red Devils languishing 14th in the Premier League.

Ruben Amorim insisted afterwards that attentions had to turn to their Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon.