Wolves fans have a new top young talent to root for at Molineux, and his name is Mateus Mane.
Last weekend, Mane became Wolves’ youngest ever Premier League player, as he came on for the closing stages against Brighton.
It was something that had been coming.
Mateus Mane has been training with Wolves’ first-team for some time now, and in recent weeks, has been making Vitor Pereira’s matchday squads.
Pereira had also praised Mane publicly, so fans had been expecting some involvement for him, at least before the end of the season.
Mane replaced Andre in the 89th minute against Brighton, and the youngster has now opened up about that very proud moment in a new interview with the club.
Mateus Mane reveals what Vitor Pereira said to him before making Wolves debut
Photo by Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Mane has enjoyed an exciting rise at Wolves.
He only signed in March 2024, but quickly impressed at the club with the U18s and then started turning out for the U21s.
During his time at Wolves, Mane has also been called up by the England U18s, which has been a sign of his great progress.
Mane was finally given a first-team debut by Pereira on Saturday, and the youngster has revealed what his manager said to him just before going on.
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He said: “Just to go and enjoy myself, do what I do in training and just express myself.
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“At first, I felt nervous a bit, but when I got onto the pitch and I jumped to win that first header, it felt like all my nerves just went, so I felt comfortable.
“I was going to take that man on, but they were sitting back quite a lot, so I thought I’d run into traffic, so I thought it would be best to just play it safe.”
Although Wolves were losing the game, it’s encouraging that Pereira told Mane to simply express himself, rather than to play conservatively. Hopefully, the Wolves manager will continue to permit Mane to have freedom on the pitch.
Pereira clearly believes in Mane’s potential at Wolves
Wolves fans have every reason to be really excited about Mane.
Pereira has said that he does not give out token minutes to players. So that means places are earned, and he will only pick players he thinks are deserving of chances.
Mane has obviously shown real promise in training, and all the indications so far have been that the manager thinks he has a very bright talent on his hands.
Photo by Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Pereira has said Mane is ‘special’, and can spring a surprise in English football next season, stating that he will be kept in the first-team.
That’s a big show of faith, and Mane will no doubt be determined to prove exactly why he’s getting this backing.