Manchester United teenage sensation Bendito Mantato’s star has continued to rise this week with a debut at U21 level.
Bendito Mantato put in a breathtaking four-goal display from the right wing on Saturday as Manchester United U18s ended up thrashing Blackburn 5-2.
The 16-year-old was unstoppable as he toyed with the Rovers’ defence and scored one particularly impressive goal which was his first of the day.
Now, just two days later, Mantato has just reached another milestone as he emerged from the bench on Monday night for the U21s in the 84th minute for his debut at this level.
Being elevated to the U21 level already despite only turning 16 two months ago shows just how highly rated Mantato is by the club.
Bendito Mantato set to be fast-tracked at Manchester United
Arguably the jewel in the crown at Carrington right now is Mantato and he has quickly emerged at the forefront of the discussions including Harry Amass and Shea Lacey.
Mantato has it all to become a top-class winger and with his physical and mental qualities already beyond his years there is the thinking he could be fast-tracked into the first team over the next 18 months.
Academy Scoop has suggested this is the case on X, writing that early suggestions within the club point toward Mantato being fast-tracked in development compared with his peers.
The reasoning for this is a combination of the young talent’s physical, technical and mental qualities, and after being played in the U21s this looks to be the case.
When can we expect Mantato to be in Erik ten Hag’s considerations?
At just 16, we aren’t expecting to see Mantato being named in Erik ten Hag‘s matchday squad anytime soon.
But Ten Hag will definitely be aware of his progress and how excellent he is doing and could be keen to reward him.
For example on the final day of this season against Brighton, if United’s season is already over, it could be a chance for Ten Hag to hand some debuts out, with Mantato well placed for a cameo.
If he is, he’d become the third youngest debutant in the history of the club, replacing Duncan Edwards just behind Jeff Whitefoot and David Gaskell – according to Transfermarkt.