Manchester United talent Bendito Mantato has been included in the England 21-man squad for the upcoming U17 World Cup.
Mantato enjoying rise at United
Mantato is thought to be among a select group of players in United’s renowned academy who are on the verge of a first-team debut and have caught the eye of Ruben Amorim and his coaching staff.
A versatile wide player who primarily plies his trade on the right, Mantato is known for his skills, pace and incredible dribbling. He has often drawn comparisons to Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka.
Mantato has trained with the United first team on multiple occasions. He put pen to paper on his first professional contract with the club in May this year, solidifying his commitment to the Red Devils.
Amorim named the teenager in his squad for the Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao last term.
Mantato has represented England across multiple youth levels, including U15, U16, and U17, and made his U18 debut in September 2025 in a 3–1 victory over Uzbekistan.
Now, he will be looking forward to the U17 World Cup, which is firmly on the horizon.
Mantato called up for U17 World Cup
On Tuesday, it was confirmed that the United youngster has been called up to the England squad for the tournament.
The U17 World Cup kicks off at the start of November, with England set to face Venezuela, Haiti, and Egypt in the group stage.
The Young Lions will travel to Qatar for the 48-team competition at the end of the current month.
If England advance from the group stage, they will move on to the round of 32, then the round of 16, followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final on 27 November.
So far this season, Mantato has mostly featured in a largely unfamiliar left-back role. It is a position that is relatively new to him, so it will be interesting to see if England play him there or in a more advanced role to exploit his attacking threat.
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
