No Loan? Diego Leon Stakes Claim for Amorim's Plans After Leeds Display

There’s always that one pre-season spark, the player who makes you pause and wonder if he’s ready for more than just a loan spell. This time, it might just be Diego Leon.

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Manchester United's new Paraguayan full-back didn’t waste time making an impression in Stockholm. Drafted straight into the starting XI against Leeds, the 18-year-old delivered a display that suggests he’s keen to stick around, not pack his bags for a season elsewhere.

Leon showed flashes of composure and attacking intent beyond his years, including a deft pass to Chido Obi that drew admiring nods on the touchline. Sure, there were teething moments, like dealing with Leeds' overlapping runners, but nothing that rattled the teenager for long.

“He's only in his first couple of weeks here, but he did really well,” Ruben Amorim told MUTV. “He’s powerful. He’s going to be a very good player.”

The fact that United chose to hand him the number 30 shirt and let Harry Amass go out on loan tells its own story. Leon might be raw, but the coaching staff clearly see something special.

And while Amorim rotated his squad heavily at half-time, giving the young full-back just 45 minutes, Leon’s energy and attitude left a lasting impression. You sensed it wasn’t just a cameo; it was a statement.

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It’s early days, but don’t be surprised if Leon is still knocking on Amorim’s door when the Premier League kicks off. Sometimes, pre-season does more than fill the summer schedule, it changes a player's path.