Diego Leon joined Manchester United earlier this summer and has impressed during his first two weeks of training at Carrington.
Manchester United returned to Carrington last week as Ruben Amorim’s squad began preparations for a crucial campaign, looking to bounce back from the disappointment of the 2024/25 season.
While the expected flurry of changes has yet to materialise, Amorim has been able to welcome two fresh faces into the squad.
Matheus Cunha, who arrived from Wolves after scoring 15 Premier League goals last season, adds firepower and creativity to United’s attack and is seen as a key addition for the coming campaign.
More quietly but perhaps just as intriguingly, 18-year-old fullback Diego Leon has joined from Paraguayan side Cerro Porteño.
The highly rated defender, who impressed United scouts with his composure and attacking intent, wants to prove himself in the first-team this season.
Leon impresses in United training
Before his arrival at Old Trafford, Leon spoke to Paraguayan media about his intentions at United this summer, and the fact that he wanted to prove he does not want to go out on loan.
“Everyone thinks I’ll go out on loan, but I don’t have that mindset,” he said. “I’m going to kill it in the preseason, and within one or two games, I’ll already be playing with them.”
That outcome appears to have materialised, with reports explaining that the 18-year-old is set to remain at the club for next season.
Reports from The Athletic have also explained that Leon has impressed during his second week of United training, and has not looked out of place in the first-team squad.
This follows on from reports last week which explained how Amorim was happy with the intensity being shown by the teenager in his opening sessions.
Leon’s shirt number hints at United role
It has now been revealed that Leon will take the no.30 shirt number at United after spending his first two weeks at the club numberless.
The aforementioned report from The Athletic stated that Leon was not been immediately assigned a number because staff want to see how he fares and where his status should be pitched.
Youngsters are often given lower shirt numbers to represent their growing first-team status. For example, Chido Obi has now moved from the no.59 to no.32 after breaking through into Amorim’s plans.
Considering Leon will be taking the no.30, it suggests that he will have a role to play in the first-team next season.
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