Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim wants to use the final two months of the season to introduce some of the club's most talented young players into the first-team
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Bendito Mantato is set for big things at Manchester United
Bendito Mantato is set for big things at Manchester United(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
Ruben Amorim is hopeful of unleashing a Manchester United youngster who has been compared to Bukayo Saka before the end of the current campaign.
With United way down in 13th place in the Premier League table, and realistically with only a Europa League quarter-final against Lyon to look forward to for the remainder of the season, the Portuguese boss is hopeful of introducing some of the club's most talented youngsters to the first-team in the next two months.
Forward Chido Obi has already featured four times off the bench for the first-team since his arrival from Arsenal, while Harry Amass came off the bench to make his senior debut in the 3-0 win at Leicester before the international break.
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And next on the conveyer belt could well be 17-year-old Bendito Mantato, at least if Amorim has his way.
Reports claim that the United boss is set on including the winger in his first-team plans after he scored seven goals in 13 appearances for the club's under-18s this season, while he also scored the winner in United's FA Youth Cup quarter-final victory over Arsenal.
Mantato has been taking part in United first-team training while several of the senior stars have been away on international duty, joining the likes of Obi, Amass, Reece Munro, Godwill Kukonki and Jim Thwaites in looking to catch Amorim's eye.
Mantato scored the winner as United beat Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup
Mantato scored the winner as United beat Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup
The club are hopeful of rewarding Mantato, who is an England Under-17 international, with a new deal in the coming weeks, and an introduction to first-team football will also be seen as another reward for his fine performances at youth level.
While now predominantly a right winger, Mantato has played left-back for United's youth sides, mirroring the development of Arsenal star Saka as he came through the ranks at the Gunners' Hale End academy.
His ability to function in both defensive and attacking roles could see Amorim view Mantato as the perfect player for his 3-4-3 system, with the United boss looking for more in attack from his wing-backs.
Bukayo Saka often played as a left-back when he was coming through the ranks at Arsenal
Bukayo Saka often played as a left-back when he was coming through the ranks at Arsenal
After arriving at United in November, Amorim has played the likes of Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui in his wing-back positions, with Patrick Dorgu signed in January and taking up a position on the left.
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