Teenage Manchester United left-back sends warning to team-mates

New Manchester United left-back Diego Leon has announced that he plans to fight for his place at the club following his arrival from Cerro Porteno.

While Manchester United's transfer business in the INEOS era has been mixed at best, the club are focussing more on signing younger talents.

Sekou Kone, Chido Obi, Ayden Heaven, and Hubert Graczyk have all been snapped up on the cheap, with Leon the latest young arrival at Old Trafford.

Heaven and Obi have already had a taste of Premier League action, while it's thought Kone will get some minutes in midfield this season.

The signing of Leon was announced last December with the player now touching down in England to join his new club.

Speaking to journalist Matias Cuevas, Leon said: "Everyone thinks I'll go out on loan, but I don't have that mindset.

"I'm going to kill it in pre-season and within one or two games, I'll already be playing with them."

The mentality will be music to head coach Ruben Amorim's ears. The Portuguese's first major signing was left-back Patrick Dorgu, and while the Dane has added some much needed physicality - and a natural left-footedness - there's room for improvement in the position which has been a headache for a decade.

Luke Shaw has been a top-class left-back when fit, but is impossible to rely on for a long run of games, and may be preferred as a left-centre-back in the absence of Lisandro Martinez, who's recovering from a knee injury. Diogo Dalot was tasked with the role, but his right-footedness made him more comfortable on the opposite flank.

Despite his tender age, Leon has an imposing physique with pace that allows him to get up and down the pitch, with his primary focus being on entering the final third.

United were convinced to sign Leon after making just 19 appearances for Cerro Porteno in the Paraguayan Primera Division, though the teenager was unable to complete his move until turning 18, giving him another five months of senior football in South America.

Liam Williams

• Manchester United F.C.
• Premier League
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