Diego León’s future at Manchester United has been looked at with the Paraguayan struggling for game time as his World Cup plans remain cemented in mind.
Manchester United brought Diego León to the club in the summer of 2025 after agreeing a deal for the Paraguayan in the previous winter transfer window for a fee of £3.3m from Cerro Porteño.
This is the same transfer window which saw United bring in Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu from Lecce for £25m, who, at only 21 years old, was seen as the long-term investment to be the left wingback in Rúben Amorim’s consistent 3-4-2-1 system.
León has featured a total of six times for Man United’s U21S but has yet to make a competitive appearance for Amorim’s first team. The 18-year-old did receive an international call-up in the last break from domestic football, but the youngster remained on the bench in both of Paraguay’s friendlies, not playing a single minute.
Concern has grown over the young left-back’s future at the club, with the lack of minutes in mind ahead of the 2026 World Cup, for which Paraguay have achieved qualification. The South American country will definitely face both the United States and Australia in their group.
The Paraguayan press have made their concerns known over the 18-year-old’s role at United as he has become the talking point again.
Tensions grow between León and Man United’s plans
Journalist Christian Martin raised concerns about the fullback being underused and how León desires more game time.
In the broadcast, Martin said, “Diego León trains but does not get a chance in Manchester United’s first team.” He then outlined the problematic situation for both parties. According to him, the left-back wants to stay at the club, but the 2026 World Cup could mean a departure for the fullback.
He continued, “Diego’s intention is to stay, but at what cost? He wants to make the World Cup, but without minutes, it becomes complicated. I see it as fifty-fifty.
“Manchester United want to keep him. Diego would like to leave, and now the decision belongs to a squad that is short of everything. The chance still has not arrived.”
The report, which raises some confusion, demonstrates the weight growing on the shoulders of the youngster, who has been training with the first team and remains in United’s long-term plans, but he is finding difficulty navigating a route to regular minutes.
León’s agent talks down an exit
With the concern of the 18-year-old’s future growing, the Paraguayan’s agent put down talks of a move for León, trusting in United’s long-term project.
He featured in United’s pre-season summer series and recently netted his first goal in a United shirt for the U21S against Tottenham Hotspur in a 4-1 win. However, these minutes are minor in comparison to his time back in South America, where, in 2025, he made 14 professional appearances for Cerro Porteno.
Read More: Fabrizio Romano confirms two key Manchester United decisions amid “very strong” transfer interest
With United having no European football or Carabao Cup to play for, the most likely entrance into the first team for León would be the FA Cup, but United’s first meeting in the competition comes against fellow Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.
United were successful in the clubs’ last meeting with a strong 4-1 win over Wolves, but that does not mean their next affair would be the same.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 14:00 pm (GMT) on the United View YouTube channel.