sevendayweekender – Manchester United may have unearthed a future star in 18-year-old Diego Leon, who impressed during their goalless draw with Leeds United in Stockholm. The Paraguay Under-20 international earned a surprise start as head coach Ruben Amorim named a youthful lineup in the pre-season opener. Despite the friendly nature of the match, Leon showed composure, physical presence, and promising decision-making under pressure.
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United’s confidence in the young full-back was clear even before kickoff. They had invested in bringing him from South America and handed him the number 30 shirt. Additionally, the club loaned out highly rated Harry Amass, clearing the path for Leon to compete as the backup left wing-back.
Leon started alongside summer signing Matheus Cunha, who also debuted for the club. Early signs of inexperience showed, especially when tracking overlapping runs from Leeds players Willy Gnonto and Jayden Bogle. However, with guidance from Luke Shaw, Leon adapted quickly and stopped similar threats later in the half. One standout moment came late in the first half when Leon delivered a clever, short pass inside the box to Chido Obi. His touch displayed unusual finesse for a player of his size and age. Amorim praised Leon’s performance, highlighting his power and willingness to learn. “He’s powerful. He’s going to be a very good player,” Amorim told MUTV.
Leon even tried to score after Casemiro’s deflected shot hit the crossbar, despite facing an almost impossible angle. Although the attempt missed, his confidence and instinct to attack were encouraging signs for United fans. Leon was replaced at halftime along with the rest of the starting eleven, as the team prepares for their U.S. tour and the Premier League Summer Series.
Heaton’s Heroics and Amorim’s Early Signs of Progress
While Leon stood out among United’s younger talents, it was veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton who stole the show in the second half. The 39-year-old, who recently signed a one-year extension, delivered three crucial saves to keep Leeds scoreless. He denied Largie Ramazani twice and made an outstanding save from a Joel Piroe setup.
With Andre Onana sidelined, Heaton is now competing with Altay Bayindir for the starting role. His experience and leadership could prove vital in United’s early-season matches. Amorim also praised the club’s atmosphere, noting the collective spirit among players. “There will be struggles, but we’re facing them together,” he said. Amorim emphasized the need for both effort and quality, reminding players that winning is the expectation at Manchester United.
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Leeds also used the match to experiment with new additions. Jack Harrison, Jaka Bijol, and Lukas Nmecha all featured, while recent signings Gabriel Gudmundsson, Sean Longstaff, and Sebastiaan Bornauw played after halftime. In a frantic finish, United pushed for a winner. Patrick Dorgu and Kobbie Mainoo came close, with the latter hitting the crossbar. Leeds keeper Illan Meslier stood firm to preserve the draw. The match offered Amorim valuable insights ahead of the U.S. tour. For Leon, it marked the beginning of what could be a bright future at Old Trafford.
