are adding a £7million player to squad at the start of pre-season, but supporters would be forgiven for forgetting about it. have made a habit of investing in youth as part of a fresh recruitment strategy overseen by Omar Berrada, Jason Wilcox and Christopher Vivell.

Chido Obi, Ayden Heaven, Sekou Kone, Harley Emsden-James and Enzo Kana-Biyik have all arrived at United in the last year under the new regime. On July 1, Cerro Porteno left-back Diego Leon will become the club's first-ever Paraguayan player. Leon sealed his Old Trafford switch in January, but there has yet to be any official communication from the club.

In January, the Manchester Evening News that the 18-year-old, then 17, had completed his medical and signed a five-year contract with the option of an additional year.

United have struck an initial £3.3m deal with Paraguayan outfit Cerro Porteno, which may rise to £7m with add-ons.

It's claimed that club figures believe Leon has the ability and potential to progress into Amorim's first team but will need time to settle in Manchester and adapt to the English game.

United took the same approach with Kone last season, who joined from Guidars FC in his homeland, Mali, and he is now on the brink of a competitive senior debut.

At the start of the year, Leon was pictured during his visit to Carrington and Old Trafford as he completed his switch.

The South American starlet took photos with Lisandro Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho in the training ground canteen.

He also posed for a photo with former Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne after undergoing his medical at a private healthcare company.

United are expected to continue searching for talent in South America in the coming years, given the continent's endless conveyor belt of quality.

Leon will likely feature for the Red Devils throughout pre-season before starting the 2025/26 campaign in the club's youth ranks.

Patrick Dorgu is primed to be Amorim's first-choice left-wing-back next season after becoming his first signing as United head coach in January.

The 20-year-old joined in a £25m deal from Lecce and started 18 games throughout the remainder of the season, including United's final seven Europa League fixtures.

Leon could quickly become Dorgu's back-up, with Luke Shaw set for more minutes as a left-sided centre-back due to concerns over his fitness.

With no European football on the table next term, minutes will be limited, but Leon is another recruit with the future in mind.