Diego Leon tipped for first team at United

Manchester United hint that Diego Leon is on track for a first team role after a strong pre season run.

Manchester United signal Diego Leon set for first team role

Manchester United confirmed the signing of Diego Leon, an 18 year old attacker from Cerro Porteno in Paraguay, for an initial 3.3 million pounds with potential add ons that could push the deal to around 7 million. The move was agreed in January but completed in the summer, with Leon already training with the senior squad to allow Ruben Amorim and the coaching staff to assess him.

Leon started in the opening pre season friendly against Leeds in Stockholm and has also appeared as a substitute against West Ham and Bournemouth in the United States. The club initially handed him shirt number 30, but that has since been changed to 35 as Benjamin Sesko arrives. United presented Leon at Old Trafford ahead of a Fiorentina meeting, a signal that he is being considered for senior duties.

The club’s approach mirrors a trend where young players are tested quickly if they show readiness, while also signaling a longer term planning strategy in the squad. The relatively modest transfer fee carries risk for the club if Leon cannot translate pre season promise into league performances, but it also offers upside if he becomes a first team asset.

Amorim faces a balancing act: nurture a promising teen while keeping the team competitive. If Leon can sustain positive training and pre season showings, he may push for minutes this season; if not, the club might opt for a gradual path through loans or the under 21s. A successful outcome could reinforce United’s reputation for promoting youth, while a misstep could invite closer scrutiny from fans and rivals.

Highlights

Football is a test of patience as much as talent, and Leon’s journey has just begun.