Diego Leon’s agent addresses transfer links to OGC Nice

Manchester United continue to focus on developing young talent as they seek to rebuild their squad and return to consistent success.

The Premier League club has a growing reputation for scouting emerging prospects from across the globe, aiming to groom them for the first team in the years ahead.

Squad depth, competition for places, and careful management of young players are central to United’s long-term strategy.

Fans are closely watching the progress of the academy and Under-21 stars, eager to see who can make the step up to Old Trafford’s senior squad.

Even when youngsters show promise, patience and development plans often take priority over immediate first-team appearances.

One such player is Paraguayan left-back Diego Leon, who has struggled to break into the senior side since arriving from Cerro Porteno in the summer of 2025.

United had agreed a deal for the teenager early last year, but the move only materialised in July after he turned 18.

Diego Leon made 33 senior appearances for Cerro Porteno, scoring four goals, and was widely regarded as one of Paraguay’s rising talents before joining Old Trafford.

Despite his pedigree, all of Leon’s appearances this season have been for Manchester United Under-21s, where he has featured in 11 games, including 10 starts.

He was named on the senior bench on four occasions under former head coach Ruben Amorim but has yet to make his first-team debut, with competition from Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu, Diogo Dalot, and Noussair Mazraoui keeping him down the pecking order.

Leon has impressed at youth level, including a stunning solo goal against Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s in Premier League 2, highlighting his potential and technical ability.

He was previously linked with a potential loan move to Nice in January, but his agent, Renato Bittar, quickly dismissed those rumours.

Bittar told Versus Sports, via X: “When Diego arrived at Manchester, they gave us a development plan.

“His process is normal, positive, and exactly what we planned.”

Addressing speculation over a move to Nice, he added: “No one mentioned anything to me about interest from Nice.”

Instead, Bittar emphasised patience and confidence in United’s long-term plan for the teenager: “He deserves to be where he is.”

For now, Leon remains in the Under-21 squad, honing his skills and waiting for the right moment to break into Old Trafford’s senior side.