Bendito Mantato is one of the most highly rated talents in the academy and he has signed his first pro contract.
19:22, 07 May 2025
Manchester United youngster Bendito Mantato has signed his first professional contract with the club.
Mantato is one of the most exciting prospects in the academy and has been rewarded with his professional contract at United, just three months after celebrating his 17th birthday.
The Manchester Evening News reported in November that Mantato could be promoted to the first-team by Ruben Amorim and the youngster has been involved in recent senior squads.
Mantato travelled to the Basque Country to be named on the bench against Athletic Bilbao last week, and he was absent from the Under-21 squad to face West Ham on Bank Holiday Monday because he was required to be part of the first-team's preparations for the second leg at Old Trafford.
Mantato formerly played at left-back in academy fixtures, but he gradually progressed to predominantly play on the right wing and his style has already led to comparisons with Bukayo Saka, who also started his career as a defender before developing into an attacking player.
The youngster's quality in attacking and defensive scenarios means he has the ideal profile to play at wing-back in Amorim's system, and he is now pushing towards making a senior debut.
Only the most highly rated talents in the academy are given a professional contract at 17 and Mantato is included in that bracket. Premier League clubs Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle and Brighton showed an interest in signing Mantato last year, but he has been tied down at United.
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