United Beyond Manchester

Manchester United will play against Leeds United on July 19th in their first preseason match of the summer. This match, along with four additional games leading up to the start of the Premier League season, will give young players the chance to impress Ruben Amorim and his coaching staff.

Two matchups between young stars stand out above the rest: Chido Obi and Ethan Wheatley, and Harry Amass and Diego Leon. Let’s dive into both position battles and project who will come out on top entering the opening weekend match at Old Trafford.

Chido Obi vs Ethan Wheatley

Chido Obi excited United fans as much as any other signing last summer. His transfer was seen as a coup for the club, and his first season was as advertised. Obi scored 14 times in 15 matches in the academy, including two hat-tricks.

Impressive performances in the academy earned the 17-year-old a first-team call-up. He made eight appearances and while failing to score, the young forward impacted matches more than his fellow Dane Rasmus Hojlund.

Recently, Obi secured the Player of the Tournament award at the Maurice Rovello tournament while representing Denmark at the U20 level.

After a blistering 2023/2024 U18 Premier League and PL2 season and a solid start at the same level in 2024, Ethan Wheatley struggled on loan at Walsall this spring, making just four appearances in 21 opportunities. When he returned from the Saddlers, the 19-year-old scored three times in the PL2 Playoffs and twice in the U19 European Championships.

While Wheatley’s numbers at youth levels have been astounding, his first-team showings have been concerning. At 19, he will be looking to push out of academy football, whether at United or elsewhere.

Projected Winner: Chido Obi

Chido Obi has a higher ceiling than Ethan Wheatley and is a year and a half younger. With all of the squad turnover that is expected this summer, there will likely only be space for one of Obi or Wheatley in Amorim’s squad. The manager can’t ignore the flourishing Obi, meaning Wheatley and United may be assessing the forward’s future at the end of the preseason.

Harry Amass vs Diego Leon

Harry Amass made his first team debut under Amorim last season. The Portuguese manager could no longer ignore his talent, giving the young defender his first opportunity against Leicester City on his 18th birthday in March.

While not appearing on the scoresheet as a left wing back, Amass proved he belonged and spent the rest of the season at the top level. The 18-year-old was especially good in the comeback win over Lyon, as he was involved in multiple passages of play leading up to the iconic goals.

United secured Diego Leon for €4 million in the winter transfer window. Because of his age, he was not allowed to move to England until after his 18th birthday in April.

Despite his youth, Leon made 33 appearances at Cerro Porteno over the past two seasons. He is a talented defender, but is also a threat going forward, as he scored four times across three competitions in Argentina.

Speaking to Paraguayan media before his arrival in Manchester, Leon stated, “Everyone thinks I’ll go out on loan, but I don’t have that mindset. I’m going to kill it in the preseason and within one or two games, I’ll already be playing with them.”

Projected Winner: Harry Amass

Diego Leon’s confidence bodes well for his future at the club, but he will need time to adjust to European competition. While he may not go on loan, the talented left back should be given time in the academy to adapt to his new surroundings.

Amass impressed and gained valuable first-team experience last season, which should keep him ahead of Leon for now. However, with Dorgu still the starter, the English defender will need to make the most of his limited opportunities to hold off Leon’s eventual rise.