Leao's flat 20-minute cameo does little to convince Manchester United ahead of £43m decision

Rafael Leao had roughly 20 minutes to make a case for a £43m move to Manchester United when he came off the bench for Portugal against DR Congo at the World Cup — and he did not take it.

The AC Milan winger, who has been linked with United across several transfer windows, was introduced as Portugal laboured against the World Cup debutants. His immediate opponent was former United full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, now at West Ham, and the matchup proved deeply unflattering for Leao.

Wan-Bissaka was barely tested. Leao attempted nine passes and completed nine, but registered zero shots and produced crosses that caused no danger — none of them finding Cristiano Ronaldo, who left the pitch visibly frustrated with Portugal’s overall display. The occasional dart down the left flank came to nothing, and Leao was repeatedly forced to play backwards rather than drive at his marker.

At his best, Leao is one of the more distinctive wingers in European football — ambidextrous, capable of cutting inside or accelerating down the line, and able to tie full-backs in knots. Against DR Congo, neither version appeared. He was flat in both directions and offered little in the defensive phase, neither pressing nor covering for his defenders when Portugal were out of possession.

United manager Michael Carrick, who built his reputation at Middlesbrough on a structured, high-intensity style that pressed opposition teams back and exploited space in behind, will have noted the absence of those qualities. Matheus Cunha was central to that system, contributing goals from multiple positions, while Patrick Dorgu — another wide option Carrick admires — was a standout performer last season playing in an advanced role.

Leao’s technical profile, including his ability with both feet, is not an obvious mismatch with what Carrick wants from a wide attacker. But the lack of intensity and aggression on display against DR Congo is likely to give the United manager pause. Carrick came through the Sir Alex Ferguson era, when United’s wide players were expected to work relentlessly in both directions.

Portugal have at least two more group games, giving Carrick further opportunities to assess Leao if he receives more minutes. Whether Wednesday’s cameo has already closed the door on a £43m deal remains to be seen.