Diego Leon has yet to make his Manchester United debut, sparking speculation that he may leave on loan in January.
After completing a transfer to Manchester United in the summer, Diego Leon is waiting to get his first minute of first-team football.
There was uncertainty over whether Leon would be a first-team player or play a more prominent role in the academy when he joined.
Leon has been limited to minutes with United’s U21s, but that didn’t stop him from making his debut for Paraguay.
Ruben Amorim chose Leon over Harry Amass when he opted to send the academy graduate on loan to ensure he got more first-team action at Sheffield Wednesday.
Reports suggest Leon is one of three players tipped for loan moves in January, with United considering whether the youngster would benefit from senior football at this stage of his development.
Diego Leon playing against Tottenham U21s
Photo by Poppy Townson – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
Diego Leon downplays Man Utd loan move option
Ineos-owned Nice are among the clubs linked with Leon after the 18-year-old showed quality in United’s youth teams this season.
It would only benefit Leon if he were guaranteed appearances in Ligue 1, but United could still decide to keep him at the club for the remainder of the season to help him settle in the UK.
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In a new interview with Ramiro Aranda (translated by Sport Witness), Leon’s agent Renato Bittar broke his silence on recent speculation about a possible move to Nice by clarifying how the club and player feel about the situation.
When asked if Leon’s pathway at United has taken an unexpected turn, by not featuring under Amorim, the agent stressed that his client is “living exactly what we planned,” meaning that no promises have been broken.
Bittar doesn’t know if United will decide to send Leon on loan in January, but he doesn’t think the timing is right to do it mid-way through the season due to being satisfied with Leon’s development to date.
Is Harry Amass ready for a new challenge in January?😳
This performance against Watford suggests he is finding the Championship very comfortable right now…
Harry Amass graphic
Getty Images
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It “would not be ideal,” Bittar said, if Leon were to leave United on loan in January.
There would be no shortage of interest in Leon, with United trying to sign the youngest talent across the world. It would be a way to see him challenged regularly.
Ruben Amorim doesn’t need to rush Diego Leon
United are well-stocked in the left wing-back department.
Even though the jury is still out on Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu, United also have other players who can play the role, like Noussair Mazraoui and Luke Shaw.
Ruben Amorim on Patrick Dorgu
“You can feel the anxiety every time Patrick touches the ball. I can feel the anxiety.”
Ruben Amorim
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That means Amorim doesn’t need to play Leon until he is ready to feature for the first team.
Leon may have got a chance in the team by now had United not been knocked out of the Carabao Cup in the earlier rounds.
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