‘New Bukayo Saka’ signs Man Utd contract as Ruben Amorim desperate to hand wonderkid debut

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has taken a liking to academy product Bendito Mantato, who’s yet to make his debut but has been rewarded with a professional deal

Bendito Mantato, the youngster who’s been dubbed the ‘new Bukayo Saka’, has signed his first professional contract with Manchester United. Mantato, who celebrated his 17th birthday earlier this year, has impressed United coaches, most notably manager Ruben Amorim.

The wonderkid was named on the bench for the first time last week, as he travelled with Amorim’s squad for their impressive 3-0 win away to Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League semi-finals. The United boss is understood to be keen on unleashing Mantato on opposition teams before the end of the season, with their Premier League campaign merely an aside to their European exploits.

When the time comes to make his debut, he’ll be on a pro contract. Old Trafford chiefs have this week rewarded Mantato for his progress by handing him a professional deal.

United are yet to announce the decision but they’ve managed to tie him down after fending off interest from multiple Premier League rivals last year. According to the Manchester Evening News, Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle and Brighton expressed an interest in signing Mantato.

Born in Manchester, the England youth international has drawn comparisons to Saka after going from left-back to right winger in United’s academy. That was the same transition which Arsenal star Saka made while breaking into the first-team at the Emirates.

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And it might not be long until we see Mantato strut his stuff. The 17-year-old was absent from United’s under-21 squad to face West Ham on Monday because Amorim wanted him to be part of the senior side’s preparations for the second leg against Bilbao on Thursday.

It’s an important night for United, who know that winning the Europa League would have huge short and long-term benefits. Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe estimates that by winning the competition and therefore earning a place in next season’s Champions League, United would bring in between £80million to £100m.

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Amorim has challenged his players to get the job done without the added drama of their quarter-final second leg at home to Lyon. The Red Devils conceded four goals without reply to find themselves 4-2 down in extra-time, eventually pulling off a rescue act with three goals in the dying embers to turn it around.

“We have to understand that one goal can change everything, the momentum of the game, one sent off, you saw it one week ago,” Amorim explained.

“So, we are prepared to fight to win the game, not thinking about the result [of the tie]. Of course, that matters, in the way we are going to do things, especially in the start of the game, but we are thinking about winning the game.”

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