Silvestre to Yoro: Man Utd a better choice than Real Madrid

With EURO 2024 coming to a conclusion this week, we sat down with Mikael Silvestre to discuss the transfer dealings being done by his former clubs Manchester United and Arsenal.

Both Man Utd and Arsenal are looking to sign defenders. The Red Devils have a lengthy shortlist that includes Matthijs de Ligt, Jarrad Branthwaite and Leny Yoro. The Gunners, on the other hand, are close to signing Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna.

Silvestre spoke to us about why Leny Yoro should choose Man Utd over Real Madrid, the potential departure of Arsenal defenders as well as the arrival of Ruud van Nisterlooy to Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff.

Man Utd is a better option for Leny Yoro

The four-time Premier League winner believes that Manchester United is a better destination, compared to Real Madrid, for Lille defender Leny Yoro.

Silvestre understands that los Blancos’ defence is in a state of transition but states that Yoro will have more game time if he moves to Man Utd.

“For Leny Yoro, it’s a different league, a different level. Manchester United is more of a long term project.”

“Real Madrid, they’re losing Nacho and have ageing CBs.”

“At United, I think there’s more opportunity for Leny Yoro to come and play straight away with Lisandro Martinez. So I would say United is a better option.”

Calafiori arrival means Arsenal are likely to sell a defender

With Riccardo Calafiori’s arrival to Arsenal edging closer, the rumour mill is churning out potential destinations for Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Silvestre is unsure who will be impacted but explains that selling players is tougher than buying them.

“I don’t know who will be impacted by Calafiori’s arrival. This is something Arsenal will internally discuss.”

“It depends on what position they want to make available for Calafiori, who might be asking to leave. There’s a lot of things that go into this type of decision.”

“Afterwards, you need to find an exit. It’s always easy to sign players, it’s much harder to sell especially if you think that the players who are leaving are the ones who haven’t performed to the best of their abilities. It’s harder.”

“So yeah there’s still a long time to go before the end of the window. It’s not an easy process.”

Joshua Zirkzee could benefit from van Nistelrooy coaching if he joins United

Silvestre’s former teammate Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to join Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff and the Frenchman has backed the appointment.

“I don’t know what Ruud van Nistelrooy’s duties will be so it is difficult to evaluate right now.”

“Obviously he has a history with United. He’s done well with PSV, going through the ranks with the youth level, the academy and then working with the first team and the strikers.”

Silvestre added that van Nistelrooy’s status as an elite striker will allow him to impart crucial knowledge to Man Utd’s young attackers. He also mentioned that if Joshua Zirzkee joins, the Dutch connection will help him even more.

“I think he’s going to add his experience and hopefully help the strikers especially. You have young strikers and if Zirkzee is coming, another young Dutch player, having the guidance of such a high level striker will be extremely valuable.”

Important that Man Utd add numbers up front

Zirzkee’s arrival could shake things up for Rasmus Højlund who was Man Utd’s undisputed starter up front. Silvestre, however, is of the opinion that United need to add more players as they’re thin when it comes to an out and out No. 9. He also believes that adding Zirzkee to the ranks will create more competition for the striker spot which will be beneficial for Manchester United.

“First of all you need more than one striker so I think reinforcing that position was always a target for Manchester United.”

“Marcus is a left-sided forward so having someone else has nothing to do with whether Højlund can play together with the new signing or not. It’s just in terms of numbers, you need to have another one and then it’s up to the manager to decide if he’s playing with one or two strikers.”

“But it’s good. It’s good to have competition for the striker spot.”

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