Manchester United academy talent Bendito Mantato is among the candidates next in line to make his first-team debut under Ruben Amorim.
The link between the first team and academy at Manchester United is well documented, and Ruben Amorim has been continuing this tradition so far in his time as head coach.
It was likely a major factor in the 40-year-old’s appointment by Ineos, with Amorim handing out 27 academy debuts at Sporting CP. Already at United, he has given three academy players their senior debut, and plenty more are expected to follow in the coming weeks.
Amorim has huge trust in United’s academy, which is helped by the fact that the three to debut have hit the ground running. The remainder of the 2024/25 Premier League season is expected to be youth-centric, with the regular starters being saved for the Europa League.
United face Brentford on Sunday, wedged in between the Europa League semi-final legs and Amorim has ruled out Noussair Mazraoui, opening up a chance for Bendito Mantato potentially at right wing-back.
Who is Bendito Mantato?
With all eyes on the second leg of the Europa League semi-final, Amorim could name a heavily rotated team against Brentford.
This could be the chance 17-year-old Mantato needs in order to make his senior bow for United, having caught Amorim’s eye as he was on the bench against Bilbao.
Mantato signed his first professional deal for United last month and is tipped as being a player the club wants to debut this season.
So there might not be a better chance than against Brentford, with very little to lose and therefore a no-pressure environment for the wonderkid to come into.
Mantato is a winger by trade, but has also played full-back and therefore could have the traits making him perfect to be a wing-back for Amorim, led to comparisons with Geovany Quenda.
Back when Amoirm arrived, Mantato was tipped for a big future, and he is closer than ever. United fans are convinced of Mantato’s talent and he has the qualities to thrive in senior football.
READ: Man Utd under-18s top scorers and assists in 2024/25, all results
Mantato has been compared with Bukayo Saka
It was the 2023/24 season when he burst onto the scene. With an immediate impact on U18 football for United.
Following a four-goal display, Mantato was compared in style to Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka. The comparison holds weight with both going from left-back to right-wing but also both being blessed with strong dribbling and a magic left foot.
Mantato was always tipped to be fast-tracked at United, with his ability often outperforming his more senior teammates. This even saw Mantato feature in first-team training in March 2024, aged just 16.
Mantato stats for 2024/25 season
This season has seen Mantato’s progression halted at times due to injury, but when he plays, there is no denying his ability, and he backs it up with numbers.
Mantato’s impact while shown through goals and assists, is even greater than it suggests as he is always the biggest threat on the pitch for United when he plays, being almost unstoppable down the right.
| Level | Goals | Assists |
| U18 | 9 | 0 |
| U21 | 2 | 5 |
He has scored nine goals for the U18s, while Mantato has also had an impact at U21 level with two goals and five assists despite being young to have made the step up.
Mantato’s most impressive and highest profile moment of the season so far has been the brilliant goal he scored against Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup, which handed United a 3-2 win.
READ: Man Utd under-21s top scorers and assists in 2024/25, all results
Travis Binnion has raved about Mantato
Despite only recently making the permanent move to U21 football, Mantato has already impressed head coach Travis Binnion.
“He was in a really good place. He is in a really good place now. Obviously, he’s got a really good chance. The football club thinks a lot of him. Brilliant mentality.”
Mentality is one thing that could set Mantato apart from his peers for United and Amorim if he is to be handed his debut.
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