Manchester United have experienced serious problem at the left-back position over the past 18 months.
Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have experienced ongoing injury problems and are not considered regular starters right now. Signing a left-back is considered a priority, with Paris Saint-Germain defender Nuno Mendes viewed as a lead candidate.
He would be an instant solution for the position, as would another name mentioned, Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez.
United are also planning ahead. Just like a deal was struck to sign teenage midfielder Sekou Kone in the summer along with first team star Manuel Ugarte, the club have agreed to sign 17-year-old wonderkid Diego Leon.
Diego Leon compared to Marcelo
Diego Leon, 17, has signed a deal with United and is due to fly in to undergo a medical to put the finishing touches on his move.
As the player does not turn 18 until April, he can’t officially join United until the summer and will continue at Cerro Porteno in his native Paraguay for now.
Leon’s move is a ‘dream come true’, and ahead of his big move, Goal South America have put together a profile of the youngster to assess why Manchester United want him.
Their player comparison likens his upside to Real Madrid modern day great Marcelo, a five-times Champions League winner alongside Casemiro.
They explain: “Leon’s combination of athletic prowess and technical ability, coupled with a precocious knack for scoring goals as a teenager, brings back memories of Marcelo’s astonishing rise in Brazilian football, which led to Real Madrid signing him from Fluminense in January 2007 when he was just 18.
“Marcelo also prioritised his attacking play over his defensive work, but had the physical prowess to return to his own area when needed.”
Manchester United would certainly settle for Leon enjoying the kind of consistent success Marcelo enjoyed during his career in Europe.
Leon would play at United’s wing-back position – with a decision to be made whether he spends his initial year with United’s academy, first team, or out on loan.
- READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfer deals for January 2025, ins, outs, loan moves, deadline date
Diego Leon backed to be a success
Diego Leon’s strengths are described in the profile, with Goal noting: “He is fast and powerful, but also has impressive technical ability, being adept at maintaining control of the ball while running at full speed.”
His former manager Manolo Jimenez is also quoted: “He’s the prototype of a full-back with a lot of attacking talent and still has a lot of time to improve his defensive side, that’s what he needs to focus on.
“I’m sure United will work on developing him. When he starts to make clearer decisions, he’ll be a great player and he won’t make those mistakes that are typical given his age and inexperience.”
Manchester United’s greatest gift to Diego Leon would be to sign a reliable first team player for the role who can star in the position, without his own development needing to be rushed.
United also have exciting prospect Harry Amass competing for the position – but you can never have enough top talents, especially when none are guaranteed to make it.
In 2020 United gambled on two wingers, Facundo Pellistri and Amad Diallo, in the hope at least one would become a future superstar. Pellistri has now been offloaded, and Amad has made his mark – and United will hope that one of Harry Amass or Diego Leon can do the same.
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