Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has not been afraid to throw in the academy youngsters into the deep end this season, with three wonderkids making their senior debuts under him.
Chido Obi, Harry Amass, and Tyler Fredricson have all made their first-team bow this year, with the Red Devils ranking in second place for minutes afforded to teenage stars.
And more debuts could be on their way with Sekou Kone and Bendito Mantato among the wonderkids who have caught the Portuguese tactician’s eye.
The Peoples Person had already relayed that the 20-time English league champions were set to offer Mantato his first professional contract.
Mantato signs new deal
Now, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the 17-year-old has put pen-to-paper on his new deal which will keep him at Old Trafford until 2029.
“Bendito Mantato and new deal at Man United until June 2029, confirmed,” Romano wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
🔴🔐 Bendito Mantato and new deal at Man United until June 2029, confirmed. https://t.co/7xUSO0hAah
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 7, 2025
The England U17 international has been a part of first team training quite regularly under Amorim, who even took the right winger to Bilbao for the semi-final first leg against Athletic Club.
He was not part of either the U18 team nor the U21s during their PL 2 quarter-final play-offs with Amorim wanting him to be part of the matchday squad for the semi-final second leg on Thursday.
Next debutant?
Dubbed “the new Bukayo Saka“, Mantato started out as a right winger but can also play as a wingback. And plenty have claimed he could be next in line to earn his senior debut.
“Mantato, 17, has transitioned from a left-back to a right wing back with favourable comparisons to Arsenal and England star Bukayo Saka.
“And many believe the “insane” Mantato is the next cab off the rank for a first-team debut,” is what GMS have written about him today.
His chances of breaking through have gone up following the club’s failure to secure Geovany Quenda from Sporting CP, who has chosen to to join Chelsea.
Mantato has made 13 appearances for the United U18 side this season, registering an impressive eight goals.
He has also struck twice for the U21s, while also registering three assists.
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
