For Leny Yoro and his Manchester United teammates, Saturday’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is more than just another Premier League fixture—it’s a chance to rewrite the story that began with heartbreak in last season’s Europa League final.

United’s campaign, already their worst in recent Premier League history, hit a low point with a 1-0 defeat to Spurs in the final in Bilbao, a loss that denied them a spot in this season’s Champions League.

“Everyone knows what happened in the final, so I think this game can be a good opportunity for us to show that maybe the final could have had another result,” Yoro told reporters.

The 19-year-old centre-back, who joined United amid high expectations, admitted the loss was a tough pill to swallow but saw a silver lining: the lighter schedule this season has allowed the squad extra time to train and improve.

“Of course, everyone wants to play in the Champions League,” Yoro said. “But now we have just one game a week, so it has given us time to work on the areas that weren’t good last year. We have more time to improve now.”

United head into the weekend unbeaten in their last four matches and sit eighth in the Premier League, just two points behind second-placed Manchester City in a tightly packed table.

“We’re still in good momentum,” Yoro said. “This game against Tottenham will be important for us to stay around the top of the league.”

Despite the disappointment of last season’s 15th-place finish, Yoro insists he has no regrets about joining United from French club Lille in the summer of 2024.

“I never had any feeling of regret,” he said.

Extra training time this season has also helped the squad adapt to tactical tweaks under manager Ruben Amorim, who frequently rotates his centre-backs.

“We’re getting used to it now. It’s not a problem for us,” Yoro said.

Yoro has taken on added defensive responsibility, especially when paired with attack-minded players Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo on the right.

“When I play with Amad and Bryan, I know Amad likes to attack a lot. It’s good to have two players in front who can really push forward. I’m here to help them have the freedom to attack while I cover at the back,” he explained.

The young defender also credited the club’s evolving culture for fostering a more unified dressing room.

“We don’t want any bad things in the team,” he said. “We focus on the team, avoid drama, maintain good relationships, and keep the atmosphere positive. The club is doing well in that regard.”

Yoro is determined to help guide United back into European competition this season.

“When you’re at Manchester United, you need to play in Europe,” he said. “It’s really important for us this year to achieve that, and it’s on everyone’s mind.”