Rio Ferdinand feels that the Leeds United match proved that Michael Carrick must now throw his complete backing behind one important Manchester United player at Old Trafford.

Michael Carrick’s woes in the Old Trafford hot seat continued after Manchester United played a 1-1 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon.

Bryan Mbeumo broke the deadlock for United in the first half of the clash before Dominic Calvert-Lewin netted the crucial equaliser for Leeds in the second half.

Speaking on his podcast, Rio Ferdinand turned his attention to Leny Yoro after the 20-year-old French defender’s superb performance at right-back at Elland Road.

The player ratings are in for Man United following the draw with Leeds. Who caught your eye and who didn't do enough today?

Another great performance from Baleba but Fernandes on the other hand…

Rio Ferdinand urges Michael Carrick to stick with Leny Yoro in his Man Utd starting XI going forward

Leny Yoro bounced back from his setback earlier this week after the Frenchman was harshly sent off in the second half of Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. The Man Utd centre-back started at right-back on Sunday afternoon and Yoro impressed United legend Rio Ferdinand with his first-half showing.

“I thought Leny Yoro, especially in the first half [vs Leeds Utd], defending the back post, was [a] top draw[er],” Ferdinand said on his Rio Ferdinand Presents show.

“He looks like he’s growing in confidence. I think Leny Yoro just needs a run in the team now.”

United manager Carrick has experimented with Yoro since the pre-season summer tour and the former Lille star has come into his element in recent weeks. Yoro received high praise during the October international break after he impressed in his France debut under Zinedine Zidane.

Ferdinand is not sure what position that Yoro would “make his own” in the United starting XI, but he feels the “outstanding” France international’s confidence must be tapped into now after his showing against Belgium under Zinedine Zidane.

“I don’t know what position he will make his own first, but he will go, ‘I have to be in this team,’” he explained.

“I think if he just continues playing in the way that he is and just continues to get games. I don’t care who gets back fit now. I think Leny Yoro just needs to stay in the team, prove his worth, prove his value to this team. Because I think every week, he’s getting stronger now.”

Ferdinand added: “I thought in Madrid [against Atletico], I thought he looked solid. The game before that for France: he was outstanding at centre-back under Zidane. He’s come back, I think, with a newfound confidence.”

Yoro has played in seven matches across all competitions for Man Utd during the 2026-27 campaign at Old Trafford. The France and United defender has two starts in his four Premier League appearances this season.