The good news just keeps on coming for Manchester United.
Deals are progressing for Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte and Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt. Sir Jim Ratcliffe finally got his man – and on his terms – as all of Newcastle’s posturing over Dan Ashworth was rendered moot.
And, while this little nugget of positivity will not capture quite so many headlines as the potential De Ligt signing or the confirmation of Ashworth’s arrival, tying down one of the most exciting talents at Carrington is another major plus on a very promising July 1st for Manchester United.
Given the speed in which Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho were promoted into the Red Devils’ first-team, do not be too surprised to see Bendito Mantato at least threatening to follow in their footsteps over the next two years.
Read more: Who is Manchester United’s Bendito Mantato? Age, Position, Nationality and more
Manchester United get major Bendito Mantato boost
Still only 16, Mantato made his debut for Man United’s under 23 side last season. That was certainly well-earned. Across seven appearances for the Under 18s, the twinkle-toed teen scored six goals and assisted two more.
Four of those goals, meanwhile, came in one scintillating March afternoon against Blackburn Rovers.
No wonder Man United were so keen to tie Mantato down amid interest from a number of clubs. Including, as the Manchester Evening News report, various Premier League ones.
So when Fabrizio Romano took to X on Monday to confirm that Mantato is ‘on the verge of signing a new scholarship and pre-pro (professional) contract, that will have come as a major relief to all of those who have been watching the winger with increasing delight over recent months.
Mantato’s pace, his eye for goal and his versatility should stand him in very good stead as he looks to become the latest Carrington kid to earn a spot in Erik ten Hag’s plans.
He was spotted training with the senior United side in the spring.
Comparisons have been drawn with Arsenal talisman Bukayo Saka too. Like Saka in his younger days – and briefly for England against Slovakia on Sunday night – Mantato is a winger by trade but can fill in at full-back if required.
When positioned out on the right hand side, meanwhile, Mantato often displays a Saka-like tendency to cut inside and fizz shots at goal with his wicked left foot.
Kobbie Mainoo makes United proud at Euro 2024
With his new deal set to be signed, it’s certainly been quite the 24 hours for Man United’s homegrown talent. Kobbie Mainoo, one only his third England start, was comfortably the best player with Three Lions upon his shirt as Gareth Southgate’s side crept past Slovakia and into the quarter-finals of the European Championships.
Mainoo might just have made himself undroppable in the process after a typically swaggering performance in which – to quote former England striker Stan Collymore – he left his team-mates ratgher embarrassed.