Manchester United plan for Leny Yoro and Tyrell Malacia as defenders step up training

Leny Yoro and Tyrell Malacia are unlikely to be fit enough to return for Manchester United before November and won't make it back in time for next week's Carabao Cup clash with Leicester City.

Yoro has been out since the end of July with a metatarsal injury, but he has been stepping up his rehabilitation in recent weeks and was back training on the grass last week as part of an individual programme.

Surgery was due to rule him out for around three months, and that timeframe is now close to elapsing. While his recovery is on track, United are likely to put him through a mini pre-season to build up his match fitness before a return to action.

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The £52million summer signing played 45 minutes against Rangers and then lasted 35 minutes against Arsenal before suffering the injury. The 18-year-old is likely to be back in action at some point in November.

Malacia hasn't played for United since May 2023 after suffering a serious knee injury. He returned to the warm-up section of group training on September 20 and has been stepping up the intensity of his work in recent weeks.

A training ground source said the left-back was "looking sharp", but a return in a low-profile fixture against the Foxes has been ruled out.

Malacia has been out for so long that United are following a careful fitness plan. He is still going through his own pre-season, having missed pre-season in 2023 and 2024. His return to action could come in a behind-closed-doors game.