Manchester United set to keep Diego Leon in the first team for the 2025/26 season
Every pre-season brings with it new excitement, and this summer has been no different for Manchester United fans. Between friendly matches and transfer rumours, the most surprising thing has not been a millionaire purchase, but a young, skinny kid with a desire to take on the world: Diego Leon. Many of us saw him in that first match against Leeds. We saw him run without fear, ask for the ball, make a mistake and try again. The most striking thing is that we saw him with the number 30 on his back, as if he had no intention of going unnoticed.
Since Sir Alex’s departure, the club has experienced years of ups and downs; of broken promises, managers who don’t last more than two seasons, and squads that always seem to fall short. We have had good spells, like the Europa League final in 2021, or the League Cup under Ten Hag, but the constant has been inconsistency, and although Ruben Amorim came in with new ideas, he is still finding the right pieces. In this scenario, it is very much appreciated when a young player appears who seems to want to earn his place with attitude and football.
Exciting news for Manchester United fans
According to information from MEN Sport, the club plans to keep Diego León in the first team plans this season. They have followed him closely throughout the pre-season match, and it seems that his performance convinced the coaching staff. He will not go on loan, and they won’t look elsewhere for experience. They want him here at Carrington, growing up close to those who have already experienced the demands of the first-team level.
He is only 18, but he’s already showing qualities that are hard to teach. The Paraguayan is quick, daring and attacking. He likes to go forward, to get into the opposition’s half and to put in crosses with intent. Sometimes the 18-year-old misses the mark, gets left behind, and suffers in one-on-one situations, but he has grit, and you can’t buy that. His daring is reminiscent of a young Rafael da Silva. Only Leon comes from Paraguay and wants to make history at Old Trafford.
Bravery or recklessness: Amorim’s wisdom or a risky gamble?
We like to see new blood in the team. So, we are excited to see a boy like Leon, who doesn’t hide in big moments, who faces up to the task, who dares to dream, but we also recognise that the Premier League is unforgiving. It’s not the same playing against Leeds in July as playing against Salah at Anfield. If you don’t manage his progress well, he could break down more than he learns, and with Luke Shaw always getting injured and Harry Amass likely to go out on loan, there’s a risk of pushing him too hard.
The best thing would be a middle ground. Let him keep training with the first team, let him get minutes in the cup, and, if necessary, let him go out on loan in January. However, if Amorim trusts him, it’s for a reason. Maybe the coach sees something in Leon that many of us still don’t see. What is clear is that it has been a long time since we have seen such a young full-back with such determination, and that, being a United fan, is always exciting.