Leny Yoro reveals how much United’s mentality has shifted under Carric

Manchester United defender Leny Yoro believes the squad’s resilience is reaching new levels under interim boss Michael Carrick after Sunday’s 3-1 defeat of Aston Villa kept the club’s Champions League destiny in its own hands.

The victory at Old Trafford restored a three-point cushion over Villa in third and stretched the gap to fifth-placed Liverpool to five with only eight league fixtures remaining. Casemiro’s 49th-minute opener was cancelled out moments later by a contentious Villa strike, yet United responded through Bruno Fernandes’ audacious assist for Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko’s late clincher.

Speaking to MUTV, the 20-year-old centre-back said the collective reaction to adversity illustrated a broader cultural shift inside the dressing room. “I’m delighted with the way the team kept their heads up even after conceding,” Yoro stated. “The character throughout the squad is really good at this moment.”

Yoro, who joined from Lille, highlighted the supporters’ role in reigniting belief. “The fans helped us to stand up after the equaliser, and we went on to use that energy to score the last two goals.”

The Frenchman also produced a decisive last-man tackle to deny Villa a potential second equaliser, a moment he equated to finding the net himself. “For me, the tackle was like a goal. Really happy with the team today.”

Praise was reserved too for captain Bruno Fernandes, whose leadership extends beyond match-day heroics. “Playing with Bruno is incredible,” Yoro added. “People don’t see his contribution off the pitch, but he is a top guy and a true captain.”

With Lisandro Martínez and Matthijs de Ligt still unavailable, Yoro is set to anchor the back line when United travel to Bournemouth on Friday night, aware that maintaining this hardened mindset could prove decisive in the top-four race.