Bendito Mantato is the latest young player to make his Manchester United debut. There should be more fanfare.
Lost amid the frustration of Manchester United’s home draw against Wolves, Bendito Mantato came off the bench to make his debut.
Mantato became United’s 257th academy graduate when he was introduced, proudly making his debut at Old Trafford.
But with United only drawing 1-1 at home to the league’s worst team, Mantato’s debut was a footnote on a frustrating night.
Congratulations to Bendito Mantato for becoming the latest Man Utd player to make his debut
A positive on a disappointing night vs Wolves, do you think he will get another chance soon?
Appreciation for Mantato, against impossible expectations
Manchester United fans have been spoiled over the years by dream debuts. Not just from Wayne Rooney, who netted a hat-trick against Fenerbahce in the Champions League.
Academy players have stepped up and enjoyed storybook debuts too. But these really are the exception. Not every player can score a brace like Marcus Rashford.
And just because Mantato did not have a ‘Macheda moment‘, his debut is still worthy of celebration.
We are glad Ruben Amorim had the confidence to bring him on, just like with Shea Lacey against Aston Villa. More chances likely await in the future, and it shows what incredible progress Mantato has made.
The England youth international is a versatile, confident attacker who tried to take players on and put crosses in during his brief cameo against Wolves.
Neither attempt went very well, but his directness was what fans want to see, amid some frustration that was levelled against Jack Fletcher for being too safe at times and passing backwards.
Mantato is ninth youngest since ’92, how the other eight fared
The youngest United player of all time is David Gaskell, who represented the club as a goalkeeper in 1956 at 16 years and 19 days.
At 17 years and 339 days, Mantato is the ninth youngest Manchester United player in the Premier League era.
Mantato will be looking for more opportunities in the weeks, months, and years ahead.
Let’s take a look at how the eight Premier League-era players fared who made their debuts for United at a younger age…
8) Nicky Butt: 17 years 305 days
One of the famous Class of 92, Sir Alex Ferguson handed Nicky Butt his Manchester United debut in 1992.
Butt was just 17 at the time when he came off the bench against Oldham Athletic. It took until the 1994/95 season for Butt to really become a regular, playing 22 games.
He went on to win the Champions League in 1999, and played 387 games for the club.
WHAT went WRONG for Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund?😳
7) Alejandro Garnacho: 17 years 301 days
Alejandro Garnacho made his debut at the end of the 2021/22 season under interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
Garnacho spent three following seasons in the United first team, where he made 144 appearances and scored 26 goals, before being sold to Chelsea.
6) Kobbie Mainoo: 17 years 266 days
Kobbie Mainoo made his debut for Manchester United in the Carabao Cup against Charlton Athletic as a starter.
He made his Premier League debut two months later, before establishing himself as a first team star in a dream 2023/24 season where he scored the winner in the FA Cup Final.
5) Federico Macheda: 17 years 226 days
The ultimate dream debut. Federico Macheda was thrown into a pivotal league game with Manchester United trying to battle back from a deficit against Aston Villa.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s bold call turned into a masterstroke when Macheda scored a sensational winning goal.
For all the hype that followed, Macheda’s wondergoal turned out to be a flash in the pan. Now 34, he is currently playing in Greece.
4) Mason Greenwood: 17 years 156 days
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gave Mason Greenwood his Manchester United debut in the Champions League away at PSG in 2019.
Greenwood showcased his first team credentials the following season, scoring the first of 35 goals he netted for United in 129 games.
3) Chido Obi: 17 years 76 days
Chido Obi became the youngest player to play under Ruben Amorim when he made his debut against Tottenham Hotspur.
Amorim later admitted he gave Obi his debut too soon, so it was good to see him back in the matchday squad for the first time this season when United took on Wolves.
2) Shola Shoretire: 17 years 19 days
Shola Shoretire consistently played above his age group at youth level, and it was not a surprise to see him make his debut for United at an early age.
Shoretire’s debut for United came under Solskjaer in a Premier League game against Newcastle.
He did not get a look in under Erik ten Hag and quit United on a free transfer.
1) Angel Gomes: 16 years 263 days
Angel Gomes made his Manchester United debut under Jose Mourinho on the final day of the 2016/17 season, against Crystal Palace.
Gomes found opportunities hard to come by under Solskjaer and left on a free. He is currently playing for Marseille alongside Mason Greenwood.
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