Man Utd coach tips “brilliant” starlet to break into Ruben Amorim’s first team squad

Manchester United’s Under-21s head coach Travis Binnion has tipped one youngster to break into Ruben Amorim’s first-team squad.

Ruben Amorim has highlighted the importance of utilising the Academy talent at Manchester United going forward and there is a lot of talent within the walls at Carrington.

Bendito Mantato is considered one of the brightest prospects in United’s youth ranks. Over the past year, the 17-year-old has switched from left-back to right-wing, and his skillset suggests he can be a wingback under Amorim.

The left-footed winger was frequently mentioned as a player who could impress the Portuguese boss when he took charge. In fact, the Manchester Evening News reported that Amorim’s arrival improved Mantato’s chances of breaking into the senior squad.

Unfortunately, injuries have sidelined him for much of that time, but he recently made his long-awaited return to the pitch for the youth sides.

He marked his comeback in style, scoring the decisive goal in United’s FA Youth Cup quarter-final win over Arsenal last month.

Mantato then delivered another standout performance on Friday night, playing a key role in the Under-21s’ 5-1 victory over West Brom, where he scored once and provided another assist in a blistering first half.

United coach tips Mantato to break into Amorim’s squad

It was the 17-year-old’s first game for the Under-21s this season and he showed that the level is one that he can quite easily handle. His goal was excellent, darting inside off his left foot and smashing the ball to the near post, catching the ‘keeper off guard.

Under-21s boss Travis Binnion was very pleased with the player, who he says has a “brilliant mentality” and also suggested that Mantato has a “really good chance” of eventually breaking into the first-team squad.

“Listen, he was in a really good place [before his injury] and he’s in a really good place now,” Binnion told club media when asked about Mantato’s performance.

“Obviously, he’s got a really good chance, the football club thinks a lot of him, brilliant mentality.

“I’m pleased to see him get a goal, pleased to see him working at his game. As I say, his mentality is excellent and he played a part with a lot of other players tonight that made us look really dangerous and exciting.”

Amorim won’t have better chance to test United youth

Several youngsters have been in and around Amorim’s squad in recent weeks, mainly due to injuries, and it’s hard to imagine that Mantato would not be there had he not suffered an unfortunate injury setback.

But now that he is back fit and firing, it would be no surprise if the teenager is brought into the first-team picture soon, at least behind the scenes at Carrington.

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There aren’t many better options to play in that wingback position and Mantato could end up providing an interesting prospect in the future if his development goes as expected.

While there is certainly no need to rush Mantato or any other Academy talents, there won’t be a better opportunity for Amorim to test their abilities than in the final games of this Premier League campaign, where there is little to actually fight for.

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