Rio Ferdinand's role in helping Man Utd hijack Real Madrid's deal for Leny Yoro

Rio Ferdinand was drafted in by Manchester United to try and persuade Leny Yoro to snub Real Madrid and join Erik ten Hag’s side instead.

Yoro has signed a five-year contract with United after they hijacked Real’s move for the 18-year-old Lille defender. United have committed to paying the French side an initial fee of £52million, with a further £6.7m due in add-ons, in a huge sign of intent in the summer transfer window.

The Frenchman had appeared destined for Real, but the Spanish giants were only willing to pay between €25m and €30m (£21m-£25m) for his services. Lille were eager to attract the biggest fee possible with Yoro in the final year of his contract, but United still had to convince him that Old Trafford was the best place for his development.

New chief executive Omar Berrada played a crucial role in getting the deal across the line, working with his new colleagues, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox, as well as director of player negotiations Matt Hargreaves. But the club still decided to draft in former centre-back Ferdinand to help woo Yoro, according to The Athletic.

It is not the first time that Ferdinand has helped his old club land a new player – back in the summer of 2021, he messaged Raphael Varane to grease the wheels of his move from Real to United. Yoro has now essentially replaced Varane in the United squad after the 31-year-old left upon the expiry of his contract.

Ferdinand’s role in Yoro’s arrival in Manchester was highlighted by a video the club put out on social media on Thursday evening. In it Yoro is seen watching a video message from Ferdinand, who shares his excitement about what lies ahead now he’s signed.

“Leny! Leny! Leny! How are you doing bro? Listen, congratulations. Welcome to Manchester United, man,” Ferdinand says. “I wish you all the best. I know you’re going to work hard – and that’s the secret, man: work hard, work hard, work, work, work on all the parts of your game.

“You’ve got all the potential, you’ve got all the tools, man. You’ve got everything there ready to rock and roll and make a big impact at this club. It’s the best club in the world, it’s a beautiful place to be, go and enjoy yourself man. I’ll see you soon, good luck! Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go! Leny! Leny! Leny!”

Yoro laughs and says: “That’s crazy.”

The youngster reportedly had his heart set on Real before United pushed for his services. “Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honour," Yoro said. “Since my first conversations with the club, they set out a clear plan for how I can develop in Manchester as part of this exciting project, and showed a lot of care for me and my family.

“I know about the history of young players at Manchester United and feel it can be the perfect place to reach my potential and achieve my ambitions, together with my new team-mates. I cannot wait to get started.”