New Manchester United signing Diego Leon has been labelled a ‘top, top player’ after pulling on a Red Devils shirt for the first time on Saturday.
The 18-year-old was in the starting line-up as Manchester United played out a goalless draw with Leeds in a pre-season friendly in Stockholm.
The teenage left-back is making a huge step up from Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno, but he is already making an impact.
Leon looked good in a forgettable friendly with Leeds and a player he is going to try and dislodge from Ruben Amorim’s first team has been impressed.
Patrick Dorgu will be hoping to be in the starting XI at left wing-back this season, but knows he will be facing competition from his new teammate.
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‘He’s a top, top player,’ Dorgu said of Leon. ‘He’s a good player, he’s good for everyone.
‘Everyone has competition in their positions. Every player has two or three players in their position. It’s just going to help the team even more. Everyone’s going to be on their toes, everyone’s going to give 100 per cent to the team.’
Amorim has urged caution on the youngster over the youngster who has precious little experience outside the Paraguayan Primera Division.
However, he did note that the ‘powerful’ full-back looks set for a very bright future.
‘We have to understand that the kid came from Paraguay. It’s his second week at Manchester United,’ said the Red Devils boss.
‘He did really well. He’s learning things, he’s powerful, he’s going to be a very good player.’
Leon himself made a brief comment after the game in Sweden, commenting on the team picture on Instagram with: ‘Getting ready for what’s coming’.
Also taking to the field as a Manchester United player for the first time was Matheus Cunha after his summer move from Wolves.
Dorgu also had kind words for the Brazilian forward, saying: ‘He’s a tough player, he did really well last season with Wolves. Hopefully he can bring all the good qualities to us.
‘You can see today he’s good carrying the ball, he’s good in the small combination play. He can score goals and that’s what we need. I think everyone is excited to see him play.’
Amorim was glad to see Cunha add a bit of speed to the team, which he feels is what they are lacking.
‘We had a lack of pace, especially in the middle of the park, but we created some chances,’ he said. ‘I think Matheus Cunha showed what we need… be really aggressive between the lines of the opponent.’
He added: ‘Of course, you can see that the connection between him and Bruno is still not there. But it is going to be a good connection because you can put a player like Kobbie Mainoo there or Mason Mount there. So we have to increase our quality in the final third.’
The Red Devils now head to America for the Premier League Summer Series, taking on West Ham on Sunday July 27.
