Utd’s Yoro surprise France replacement for Konaté
Manchester United defender Leny Yoro has been called up to Zinedine Zidane’s France squad for the UEFA Nations League, after Real Madrid‘s Ibrahima Konaté dropped out, having picked up an injury.
It is a first senior international call-up for 20-year-old Yoro.
The French national team confirmed on social media that Konaté has injured his knee and is now back with his club.
Yoro’s call-up is somewhat unexpected, given the intense criticism he faced after Man United’s Carabao Cup collapse against Brighton last week — in which they squandered a 2-0 lead and conceded three goals as Brighton knocked them out of the competition.
This is Zidane’s first squad — having taken over as head coach in July — and those called up will be hoping to impress the legendary Frenchman.
France will take on Türkiye on Friday, as Zidane seeks to get his tenure off to a winning start.
Zidane has shown a willingness to shape the France squad as he sees fit, having left Aurélien Tchouaméni and Marcus Thuram out for the Nations League fixtures.
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He has called up a number of new faces, including Guillaume Restes, Andy Diouf, Jérémy Jacquet, Lucas Da Cunha and Esteban Le Paul.
Speaking at the French football federation’s Clairefontaine headquarters last week, Zidane said:
“They are players who deserve to be here, players I want to see. Everyone will be involved,” he said.
“What inspires me is the game. I want to see these players and this team playing.”
Star forward Kylian Mbappé missed training with his France teammates on Tuesday due to a bout of the flu.
After Türkiye, France face Belgium on Sept. 28, Italy on Oct. 2, and then Belgium on Oct. 5 again in their remaining Nations League fixtures over the international break.