Revealed: Manchester United’s stealth mode attempt to hide extent of Leny Yoro injury from Bayern Munich

According to a report from Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic (via @iMiaSanMia), Manchester United tried to keep the extent of the injury sustained by center-back Leny Yoro a secret while negotiating with Bayern Munich on a potential move for center-back Matthijs de Ligt.

That planned was dashed, however, once a video emerged of Yoro on crutches and wearing a boot. To that point in the talks, Manchester United held all of the leverage, but now the pendulum has swung the way of Bayern Munich given the desperation that the Red Devils now have in trying to bolster their backline:

Manchester United attempted to keep Leny Yoro’s injury secret due to ongoing negotiations for other targets. Bayern Munich knowing there is more pressure to recruit a centre-back affects United’s bargaining position over Matthijs de Ligt. Only after Yoro was videoed on crutches and wearing a protective boot, and reports emerged, did United communicate the prognosis.

From here, it is anyone’s guess how this will all play out as there does still appear to be a gap in what Bayern Munich wants for De Ligt vs. what Manchester United is willing to pay. With Noussair Mazraoui also closely linked to Manchester United, Bayern Munich will have more than enough opportunities to figure out a way to make it work on deals for both players.