Leny Yoro’s inexplicable reaction to Harvey Barnes’ second goal against Manchester United is inexcusable – he has no justification for it.
That’s the view of Arsenal icon Thierry Henry, who has been left in shock by his French compatriot following his side’s 4-1 defeat at Newcastle.
The Red Devils suffered their 14th defeat of the Premier League season on Sunday to leave them languishing in 14th spot in the table.
It means that even if Ruben Amorim’s men win their remaining six fixtures, they will still post the club’s lowest ever points tally in the division.
Three unanswered second half strikes saw United fall to their second loss in three games – much to the anger of legendary midfielder Roy Keane.
And Henry has also been left in disbelief by United, in particular with centre-back Yoro.
The 19-year-old – signed from Lille for £52million last summer – was caught napping for Barnes’ first goal when he tapped home Jacon Murphy’s pull back.
And 15 minutes later, he bizarrely hoped either an offside or foul in the build-up would spare his – and United’s – blushes after Barnes ran through the heart of the visitors’ defence before smashing into the top right corner.
Yoro was the subject of focus for Henry when analysing the game on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.
Discussing Barnes’ first goal, the two-time Premier League winner said: “Leny Yoro doesn’t go back to try and defend it.
“They’re [United] second in everything. The desire was on Newcastle’s side. They’re just not good enough.”
And when examining Barnes’ second striker closer, Henry was left mystified by the teenager.
He remarked: “That should never happen. I invite everyone to to stay on Leny Yoro.
“First and foremost he’s going to try and play offside and then great finish from Barnes.
“But please stay on Yoro and what he’s asking for. Pause. I don’t know why… I don’t know what he is looking at?
“Are you looking at the linesman, trying to see if he is going to bail you out, I don’t know?
“I don’t know if he thought there was an offside. We all know it’s a goal. What are you looking at?
“I actually don’t know. I’ve never seen that before.”
Having his say, Henry’s colleague Jamie Carragher then said: “Understanding of the game maybe?
“I don’t know, you’re right, he’s looking at the linesman for a long time.”
Still not happy with the youngster, Henry, still in shock, then simply stated once again: “We all know it’s a goal.”
For Carragher, United’s performance was yet another in what has been a shocking season for the Old Trafford outfit.
Slamming his former rivals when discussing Barnes’ second goal, he raged: “How bad are Manchester United? They lack everything, Manchester United.
“Harvey Barnes’ first touch, you’ve got two defenders before he gets to the goal and two defenders chasing him.
“If I tell you now he picks the ball up and he is going to score here and not be challenged, you can’t think that is possible at any level of football, if it was under-five young kids or Premier League.
“That is not acceptable to start in that position [where Barnes began] and finish there [in the box] without a challenge.
“We’re running out of things to say about them.”
United will be looking for a return to winning ways on Thursday night when they welcome Lyon to the Theatre of Dreams.
The two teams played out a 2-2 draw in last week’s Europa League quarter-final first leg in France.
For United, success in the competition will be the only way they will be plying their trade across the continent next term.
