Rúben Amorim looks set to hand a debut to one of Manchester United’s “fantastic” Academy stars against Aston Villa following successful contract talks.
After a dismal showing in the Europa League final, Manchester United now turn their attention to the last game of the season — a home clash with Aston Villa on Premier League matchday 38.
Unai Emery’s Villa are still chasing a Champions League spot, while United, sitting 16th, have little left to fight for beyond pride and a desire to avoid finishing what has been a miserable campaign on another sour note.
Rúben Amorim’s side could still climb to 14th if West Ham drop points against Ipswich Town and Wolves lose to Brentford, but even that would do little to brighten an otherwise bleak and frustrating season for fans and players alike.
With confidence low, injuries mounting, and Villa arriving with everything to play for, there’s a real fear that United could end their season with one final, humbling defeat in front of a restless Old Trafford crowd.
Mantato debut likely following successful contract talks
With little else but pride to play for on the final day of the season, it is likely that Amorim may field a number of United’s Academy talents against Villa as the club look to close the season out on somewhat of a high note.
It was reported earlier this month that, following successful contract talks, 17-year-old “fantastic” Bendito Mantato had put pen to paper on his first professional contract, signing with the club for four seasons.
It has been widely reported that Amorim had been incredibly keen to hand Mantato his first-team debut before the end of the campaign, but such a moment has not materialised despite being included in several matchday squads and first-team training sessions over the last month.
However, with the head coach looking likely to play a number of Academy players against Villa on Sunday afternoon, Mantato looks set to finally be given his chance to shine in the first-team and make an impression at Old Trafford ahead of the summer.
United fans set to see many young stars in the next week
Once United have finally drawn a line under their horrific 2024/25 campaign, they will embark on a two-match post-season tour that will see United face ASEAN All-Stars in Kuala Lumpur on 28 May before playing Hong Kong in Hong Kong on 30 May.
The post-season tour is expected to generate around £8-10 million for the club, and although Amorim has already confirmed that first-team players will travel, he has noted that it will also be a great opportunity for the Academy players to show themselves to the world.
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“I was consulted,” Amorim explained to journalists earlier this month about the planning of the tour. “We cannot say nothing after this season, so we need to help the club because the club wins some more money.
“We are going to connect with our fans around the world, and that is important, especially when we lose and we disappoint our supporters during this tough season.
“So, I think it is the least we can do. And we are going to take all the team, the young kids also, and we’ll have the staff there. We had a lot of changes in the staff, so we’re trying to build something as a family. I think it is also a good thing.”
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