Matches involving Manchester United versus Leeds United produces goals and today’s match won’t be any different.
Softfootball takes a look into Reuben Amorim’s deployment of two new signings Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon ahead of the Red Devils pre-season opener against The Whites at Strawberry Arena in Stockholm.
Daniel Farke led Leeds United back into the Premier League after they gained promotion from the Championship last season and they have absolutely nothing to fear as they face Manchester United that finished 15th last campaign.
🇸🇪 Our first pre-season ‘friendly’! pic.twitter.com/Z7z3u9OpuT
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 19, 2025
Man United debutants
Amorim has been impressed by the impact of Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon since they arrived at the club and joined training at Carrington on July 7, 2025.
The sessions have been brutal but the duo held their own giving the manager more options to rely on heading into a new season where they are condemned to perform or he gets sacked.
Cuhna arrived for £62.5million while Leon for just £7m and will wear the number 10 jersey and 30 respectively for the new season. Amorim has shown so much Faith in Cunha that he gave him the number 10 shirt of Marcus Rashford.
The England forward is still a Manchester United player but Amorim wants him out of the club with immediate effect. Rashford favours a move to Barcelona while there are interest from Juventus and Saudi Arabia.
A bold move by Amorim which if it pays off is genius but if it backfires then he is made to look stupid. However, Cuhna seems to be ready for the challenge ahead and he is anticipating his debut with excitement.
Our first matchday of pre-season 🗓️
Watch United v Leeds LIVE on #MUTV at 14:00 BST 📺
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 19, 2025
Cunha revealed to Manutd.com earlier this week following two weeks of blending in with his new teammates.
He said:
“I’m so excited to maybe go and then do everything that I want to do with the shirt and, of course, to go to the locker room and see [for] the first time the shirt there, [that] will be something then. I hope I can manage better than I think.”
Cunha is likely to play as one of the 10’s in midfield. Amorim loves to play two number 10’s in his system and the Brazilian slots into the role perfectly. He can also play in any of the front four positions if need be.
For Diego Leon, his mission is, he wants to play first team football for Manchester United despite his young age of 18. And his wish maybe granted today if Amorim decides to play him against Leeds United in today’s match.
Leon will be deployed as a wingback in Reuben Amorim’s system of 3-4-3. The Paraguay Under 21 defender got pace and power while his balance helps him get past players effortlessly to put in a cross for teammates to score or he can go all the way to score himself.
Will Cuhna and Pedro Leon both start the match?
Amorim takes all his games seriously and despite it being a friendly match. The Manchester Coach can decide to put out a very strong team. Cunha is considered a marquee signing for the Red Devils and after scoring 17 premier league goals for Wolves last season will be expected to start the pre-season friendly.
Diego Leon may be thrown into action like Cuhna because the manager wants to know more about him in a game situation. Amorim would want to watch how he adapt to the way Manchester United plays. So, Leon may need to impress quickly as the manager may just decide to play different sides for each of the half.
This goal from Cunha is actually absurd 😭 pic.twitter.com/ERFYS4mLd4
— (fan) Frank 🧠🇵🇹 (@AmorimEra_) April 23, 2025
Possible impact by Cunha and Leon
After monitoring how both players trained so far under Reuben Amorim, Softfootball can effectively predict a debut goal for Matheus Cunha and a strong display from Diego Leon even if he plays just 45minutes.
Manchester United are expected to head back to England after the pre-season friendly against Leeds United and new signing Bryan Mbeumo is expected to meet his new teammates.
