First Impressions: What's Diego Leon really like?

Needing to adapt to a new culture, life away from home and a new language, Leon is clearly a different signing to that of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, his fellow arrivals in the summer of 2025.

As head coach Ruben Amorim has frequently outlined, Leon is a signing for the future. He’s a player with potential.

But what is he like? How has he coped with such a significant move, across continents? Who’s helping him settle into life in Manchester and inside the United dressing room?

Well, we asked his new team-mates. Keep scrolling to see what they had to say...

Manuel Ugarte: “He’s a great player, humble as well, and he’s going to learn a lot. It’s a massive change, because life here is a very different to life in South America. And football even more as well. He has to take it with calmness, he has to enjoy where he is. He has to learn as well, there is a lot to learn. And not put too much pressure on him because players who come from South America need some time to adapt."

Patrick Dorgu: “He brings a lot of power and energy to the team and he’s very young, so it takes time to join into the team but he’s doing really well.”

Kobbie Mainoo: “I like Diego. Diego’s again, another top player, really powerful, really strong and although he doesn’t speak much English, he’s a funny guy as well, so he’s definitely a good addition to the team.”

Tom Heaton: “He’s been brilliant. The lads have really looked after him. Of course, he’ll gravitate towards the South American lads who have looked after him. He’s quietly gone about his business really well on the grass and then off the grass, he’s been a feature, he’s been in and amongst with the lads, doing well with the language, moving things forward so another top addition to the squad.”

“He’s done fantastically well. He has the potential to get better and better and better. Look forward to seeing him this season and seeing him excel.”

Matthijs de Ligt: “You can see he’s really keen to show his personality on the pitch and that’s really good. The more you get into professional football, the more you have to learn tactics and stuff, and that’s obviously difficult when you’re from a different country and speak a different language. He’s taking it in well, improving day by day, so let’s hope that he keeps improving.”

Ayden Heaven: “He’s great. Obviously there’s a language barrier and all that but he’s a good kid and we help him. You saw in pre-season he picked up an assist as well. He’s strong for his age, he looks exciting."