Man Utd New Boy Leon Catches The Eye In Leeds Stalemate

Whisper it softly but Manchester United whitethorn person recovered a small gem successful young full-back Diego Leon.

The nine had already made immoderate beautiful important decisions astir nan 18-year-old which indicated nan recruitment section judge he has a salient Old Trafford future, moreover earlier they opened their pre-season run pinch a 0-0 tie against newly-promoted Leeds.

For a start, they invested to bring nan Paraguay Under-20 world complete from South America.

Then they person fixed him a prized first-team garment – number 30 – and thirdly, they person decided to let highly-rated English youngster Harry Amass time off nan nine connected indebtedness alternatively than fto him compete pinch Leon for what is presumed to beryllium nan back-up near wing-back slot.

Head coach Ruben Amorim opted to commencement nan 18-year-old successful Saturday's opening pre-season crippled against Leeds successful Stockholm.

And location were small signs that, pinch nan correct activity ethic, a willingness to perceive and capable motivation, Leon could beryllium a very useful asset.

The item came astatine nan backmost extremity of nan first half. A short walk to Chido Obi wrong nan punishment area was delivered pinch a delicate touch you would not usually expect of personification Leon's size.

Goodness knows what he was for illustration arsenic a schoolboy successful South America but he is already a coagulated unit.

That mightiness bring its ain problems arsenic he gets accustomed to nan strength of nan Premier League and, moreover successful this encounter, played successful pleasant conditions contempt nan sun and mid-afternoon kick-off, Leon seemed to beryllium catching his activity connected a mates of occasions.

Initially, he was caught retired by overlapping runs from Willy Gnonto and Jayden Bogle. But he quickly worked retired erstwhile threat mightiness coming itself and, pinch a spot of coaching from Luke Shaw, who was playing wrong him arsenic nan left-sided cardinal defender, he was not exposed successful nan aforesaid mode again.

After Casemiro's deflected changeable had bounced backmost disconnected nan apical of nan crossbar, Leon was assured capable to effort and person nan rebound moreover though nan perspective was virtually impossible.

It was nary astonishment he grounded but nan cognition bodes good for nan future.

Along pinch nan remainder of Amorim's starting line-up, nan teen was replaced astatine half-time successful readiness for nan three-match travel to nan United States to play successful nan Premier League Summer Series.

Having praised 1 of nan youngest players successful United's squad, they had nan oldest to convey for keeping Leeds out.

Veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton signed a one-year statement extension 3 weeks agone and, pinch Andre Onana injured, nan 39-year-old is pushing Altay Bayindir for nan interim first-choice role.

And he caught nan oculus pinch 3 fantabulous second-half saves.

Largie Ramazani was denied doubly but nan champion was nan first aft Joel Piroe had group up Bogle.

Interestingly for Leeds, while striker Patrick Bamford did not make nan travel – and nary mentation was offered earlier kick-off – Jack Harrison, who has spent nan past 2 play connected indebtedness astatine Everton and is expected to move again, started.

As news filtered done of Leeds having a £17m bid accepted by German nine Hoffenheim for their midfielder Anton Stach, it is clear head Daniel Farke, for illustration Amorim, tin expect plentifulness of betterment from his broadside earlier their return to nan apical formation against Everton connected 18 August.

Manchester United vanished connected top. Illan Meslier sewage down debased to contradict Patrick Dorgu and amid a frenetic ending Kobbie Mainoo deed nan barroom earlier nan Leeds goalkeeper denied Ayden Heaven.