MANCHESTER UNITED academy star Bendito Mantato has jumped from the Under-17 World Cup to a Premier League debut in the space of six weeks.
Mantato was among five youth players to make Ruben Amorim’s adhoc bench in the in the final home game of the calendar year.
United manager Ruben Amorim instructs Bendito Mantato as he replaces Manuel Ugarte during the 1-1 draw with WolvesCredit: Getty
Mantato joined United’s academy at the age of nine.Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Just last month, Mantato, who has drawn comparisons to , was navigating the heat of Qatar, representing England at the FIFA U17 World Cup.
On Tuesday night, he was navigating growingly agitated noise from the Stretford End, replacing in the 75th minute to become United’s 257th academy graduate.
While the result kept Amorim’s side fifth in the table, it served as the introduction for a talent whom United staff have held in high regard.
Amorim turned to Mantato to plug the gaps during a selection crisis, with the manager missing a trio of stars at AFCON alongside the injured quintet of , Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs De Ligt and Harry Maguire.
Born in Manchester in January 2008, Mantato joined United’s academy at the age of nine.
Long before his first team debut, the youngster was making waves at Carrington after breaking through to the U18s aged 14 three years ago.
In Februry this year, it was Mantato who delivered the 99th-minute winner to sink Arsenal 3-2 in Youth Cup quarter-finals.
While United lost on penalties to eventual winners Aston Villa in the semis, Mantato started training with Amorim’s squad and became a regular in ‘s U18s this term.
The 17-year-old was named on the bench for the first time in the first leg of United‘s semi-final against Athletic Bilbao on May 1.
His positional evolution and exciting play as a left-footer on the right wing have
His journey from wing-back to right-wing mirrors the England star’s youth journey and makes him an attractive fit.
The United boss used wing-backs this season, with and Diogo Dalot among those in the role.
Mantato was called up into training again with other wing-back options Amad and and No10 away on Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Mantato was included in before Christmas after suffered a calf injury in training.
The youngster signed his first four-year professional contract in the summer after Chelsea, Brighton, Liverpool and Newcastle registered an interest.
Mantato has signed four-year deal with Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
Mantato playing for England last monthCredit: Getty
His performances this season earned a call up to England‘s U17s World Cup, where he joined Arsenal prodigy and Liverpool youngster on the plane.
Despite failing to score in the Middle East, Mantato did assist Luca Williams-Barnett during a group stage victory over Haiti and started in their round of 16 elimination by Austria.
Mantato is eligible to play for the Angola national team, but he has chosen to represent the Three Lions at youth level, making his international U18 debut during a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan in September.
He has scored 16 goals in 28 appearances for United’s U18s, who currently sit second in the league four points behind rivals Man City – who have played three less games.
Fletcher’s own twin sons both made United’s latest squad again against Wolves, with Jack, 18, coming on at half-time again to replace goalscorer in a tactical change.
Jack had been subbed on for an injured in the 1-0 win over on Boxing Day.
Forwards and joined them in the dugout, with the latter promoted for the first time since in defence of comments he made about Obi struggling in the U21s.
Defender Tyler Fredricson, who became the 254th academy graduate in the 1-0 defeat to Wolves in April, was an unused sub on Tuesday.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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