How did Cunha and Leon fare in Stockholm?

Just over 45,000 fans at Stockholm’s Strawberry Arena – and those watching on MUTV across the globe – were treated to a first-hand look at the maiden United appearances of Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon in Saturday’s draw with Leeds.

Our summer recruits, from Wolves and Paraguayan club Cerro Porteno respectively, were named in the starting XI for the goalless pre-season opener against the newly promoted Premier League side in the Swedish capital.

Both had encouraging moments across their 45-minute cameos as they got minutes under their belts before being withdrawn at half-time as Amorim changed his entire starting XI for the second half.

Player highlights: Cunha and Leon Video

Player highlights: Cunha and Leon

MATCH CLIPS | New signings Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon showed plenty of spirit against Leeds…

Speaking to fans at a special supporters’ event in the city on Friday night, it became clear that Cunha was the player in the squad that the majority were most keen to a glimpse of when the action got under way on Saturday.

It is no surprise given the high reputation that the fleet-footed playmaker carved out in his pre-United years, and we would soon see the technical ability that he regularly demonstrated for former club Wolves come to the fore once the fixture settled into a rhythm, after a cagey start. 

A stepover by the left flank to draw a foul from Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu was his first crowd-pleasing contribution, while a burst through a narrow lane between Ao Tanaka and Wilfried Gnonto also drew acclaim – and another free-kick – shortly after.

Our new no.10 mostly operated from an attacking-midfield role on the inside left of our formation, but did pop up out on the flank and over on the right, where he duelled to win a throw-in with Leeds man Jaka Bijol by the corner flag.

With freedom to make an impact, it was understandable that our Yorkshire rivals looked to draw bodies towards him in dangerous areas around the edge of the box, and said opposition players may have been somewhat relieved when Chido Obi opted to shoot instead of letting the ball run on for Cunha near the end of the half, as Matheus looked to be shaping to curl into the far corner.

Playing in the inside left, Cunha was regularly in conversation with 18-year-old Leon, who operated as our left wing-back in the first half and was tasked with providing United’s width on that side.

Involved on and off the ball, the young Paraguayan settled into his first Reds assignment and appeared to take on more responsibility – particularly from an attacking point of view – as the half went on.

He did well to prod the ball through on the edge of the 18-yard area for Obi to fire our first real chance at goal in the 37th minute, before having an attempt of his own from a similar distance charged down shortly after.

A burst away from a pursuing Ampadu was a nice moment in his own half, before Leon was again involved at the top end of the pitch prior to making way at the interval, pulling a strike wide from a tight angle after a Casemiro ball across the box had fell to him via the crossbar.

It would be no shock if both players wanted more from their first outings in red given the fact that we didn’t win the game – even if it is a pre-season friendly – but both can feel encouraged with their individual contributions in Sweden.

Cunha and Leon are now expected to be included in Amorim’s squad for next week’s flight to the United States for Tour 2025, presented by Snapdragon, where we’ll face more familiar opposition in West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton as part of the Premier League’s Summer Series.

It’s in those matches they’ll hope to keep building up the minutes, while growing more accustomed to their new team-mates and club in advance of the new campaign starting in August.

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