Ruben Amorim will want to make it four wins out of four when Man Utd take on Nottingham Forest to kick off November, and it might kick off another Man Utd career in the process.
So far, Ruben Amorim has been reticent about shaking the apple cart too much, opting to go with a team that is increasingly getting comfortable with each other.
Now that there is some semblance of momentum, Man Utd fans might start seeing some adventurous team selections.
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After giving fans what they want by playing Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes together vs Brighton, he could be preparing to hand a Man Utd debut if the U21s’ latest game was any indication.
Diego Leon walking out of tunnel for Manchester United U21.
Photo by Poppy Townson – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
Man Utd U21s leave out Diego Leon
Diego Leon has previously been a part of multiple Man Utd squads, but he hasn’t come off the bench yet for his first competitive minutes for the club.
Man Utd U21s recently took on Blackburn Rovers on October 31, losing 0-4, and the absence of one name was interesting.
Shea Lacey didn’t play the previous game against Rochdale, increasing hopes for his debut, but he came off the bench vs Blackburn to play 30 mins.
Leon, in contrast, was entirely absent from the squad, making it likely that he will at least be on the bench when United travel to Nottingham.
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With the team playing well, and Amorim already speaking about needing more dynamism in the final third against Forest, the timing of Leon’s absence from the U21s squad could be a precursor to his first-team debut.
Ruben Amorim is a fan of Diego Leon
Unlike many youngsters, Leon is not someone who is held back from a debut because of a lack of physicality.
In fact, that is one of his greatest strengths, also praised by Amorim during pre-season.
After struggling to adapt at the beginning, Leon is beginning to show what made him one of the finest prospects in world football when United signed him.
He recently opened his scoring for the U21s with a wondergoal, and that could be the perfect launching pad for the Paraguayan.
Amorim could well be thinking that giving him his debut when he’s full of confidence, in a team playing well, against a team that will sit back, is the ideal set of conditions.
It’s out of the question that Leon will start the game, but if he’s on the bench, as is likely since he was absent from the U21s squad, then it’s reasonable to expect a maiden first-team appearance.