Diego Leon: Agent of United defender addresses Nice rumours | OneFootball

Diego Leon has been a peripheral figure for Manchester United since arriving at Old Trafford from Cerro Porteno in the summer of 2025. The Red Devils agreed a deal for the teenager at the beginning of last year, but he only made the move in July after he had turned 18.

United have targeted emerging young talents from across the globe in recent times, as they look to return to their heyday. Leon rose through the ranks at the Paraguayan club before breaking into the first team in 2024.

The young left-back registered 33 appearances in all competitions for Cerro Porteno’s senior side, scoring four goals, and is considered one of the country’s emerging stars. However, the Paraguayan is yet to make his first-team debut since joining the Red Devils.

Leon’s struggles at United

All of Leon’s appearances this season have been for the youth side. The player was on the bench for the senior side on four occasions, but was overlooked by former United head coach Ruben Amorim.

The Portuguese was removed from his position earlier this month, but that has not improved the Paraguayan’s fortunes so far. With Luke Shaw in inspired form, and Patrick Dorgu, Diogo Dalot and even Noussair Mazraoui among the options for the position, Leon remains a long way down the pecking order at the moment.

All of the teenager’s appearances this season have been for United Under-21s, where he has featured in 11 games, including 10 starts. Leon scored a stunning solo goal against Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s in Premier League 2.

Diego Leon Stats: 2025/26 Season

Source: Transfermarkt.

Leon was previously linked with a loan exit to Nice in January, although his agent, Renato Bittar, was quick to shut those rumours down. Bittar has now provided an insight into his client’s plans for the future.

Leon’s progress going according to plans

Speaking to Versus Sports, as cited by Sport Witness, Bittar insisted that United are following the pre-agreed developmental plan for Leon. He said: “When Diego arrived at Manchester, they gave us a development plan. His process is normal, positive, and exactly what we planned.”

Leon’s failure to break into the senior side has prompted talk of a temporary departure this month, with Nice still a possible destination due to the INEOS links. However, Bittar rubbished those talks, adding, “No one mentioned anything to me about interest from Nice.”

Instead, the agent suggested that his client deserves to be at Old Trafford, perhaps hinting at the need to be patient with the youngster. “He deserves to be where he is,” said Bittar.

Final Thoughts

Shaw is set to turn 31 this summer and, having entered the final 18 months of his contract, his future remains unclear. Meanwhile, Dorgu is the only specialist left-back in the senior squad at the moment, so Leon will have the chance to stake a claim for a first-team place in the near future.

For now, the Paraguayan needs to work hard and acclimatise himself to the rigours of English football, so that once he is afforded an opportunity, he can grab it with both hands.

Featured image Molly Darlington via Getty Images

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