Man Utd winger Bendito Mantato has suffered a season-ending ankle injury, according to reports.
The teenager was playing in a Under 21 match against Chelsea earlier this month when he picked up the problem.
Mantato had actually been sent on as a substitute to replace Jack Moorhouse, who had picked up an injury himself.
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Following the match, Mantato was forced to wear a protective boot, and the Manchester Evening News have now confirmed the injury is serious enough that he is “set to miss the rest of the season”.
Mantato was handed his debut earlier this season
It has been a rollercoaster few months for the 18-year-old, who made his first senior appearance for the Red Devils against Wolves back in late December.
Mantato replaced Manuel Ugarte for the last 15 minutes of the 1-1 draw as United chased a winner.
The young forward did make the matchday squad for the subsequent fixture against Leeds United, but he did not make it off the bench.
Prior to his injury, Mantato had played for the Under 18s in the league and FA Youth Cup, as well as for the Under 21s in Premier League 2, the Premier League International Cup and the National League Cup.
Other Man Utd injury news
Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo have withdrawn from international duty due to minor injuries. Neither is likely to miss any upcoming club fixtures.
Noussair Mazraoui missed the draw against Bournemouth due to illness, but he was fit enough to join up with Morocco’s squad for their friendlies against Ecuador and Paraguay.
Lisandro Martinez (calf) and Patrick Dorgu (hamstring) are expected to return from their respective injuries next month, but Matthijs de Ligt is still struggling with a back problem that has kept him sidelined since late November.
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