Thierry Henry has been slammed for his “lazy attack” on 18-year-old Manchester United defender Leny Yoro following the team’s crushing 4-1 defeat to Newcastle. The criticism, which aired on Sky Sports during the analysis of the match, sparked a backlash from fans who felt Henry’s remarks were unfair and lacked empathy for the young player.
Henry’s Criticism of Yoro Sparks Fan Backlash
During the Sky Sports broadcast, Henry pointed out a moment from the match where Yoro appeared to glance at the assistant referee after Harvey Barnes’ second goal. Henry used this moment to criticize Yoro’s decision-making, suggesting that he was “looking at the linesman” instead of focusing on the game. “I’ve never seen that before,” Henry added, further dismissing the teenager’s actions.
Fans Respond to Criticism of Yoro
The backlash on social media was swift, with many fans defending Yoro, a young player still finding his way in the Premier League. Critics on Twitter called Henry’s analysis “lazy” and “unhelpful,” pointing out that it was unwarranted to attack a teenager who was still learning his craft. Some fans also criticized Sky Sports punditry for sensationalizing a moment in the game, with others accusing Henry and Jamie Carragher of trying to “bully” a 19-year-old player.
Carragher and Henry’s Posts Deleted Amid the Controversy
In the aftermath of the criticism, both Jamie Carragher and Sky Sports deleted posts related to the segment. Carragher had mocked Yoro on social media after the broadcast, using four weeping emojis, but deleted the tweet after the fan backlash. The controversy surrounding the segment led to a broader discussion about the quality and fairness of punditry in football.
