Manchester United have a host of exciting talent in the academy sides, but the UtdDistrict team believe one youngster could break into the first team sooner rather than later.
Manchester United have long been a side that looks to embed youngsters into the first team, with many notable examples over the years, including Sir David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and, more recentl,y Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo.
The current academy sides hold a host of talent that many have compared to the Class of ’92 that came through under Sir Alex Ferguson, but the majority are still in Darren Fletcher’s under-18s side or out on loan.
However, the under-21s side that was dominating Tamworth before Sekou Kone’s injury included many of the players that could be involved in Rúben Amorim’s plans before the end of the season.
Chido Obi and Kone are the most obvious examples of players in Amorim’s plans, but there are other youngsters who could suit the manager’s system perfectly and be involved very soon.
Mantato could join the first team soon
Bendito Mantato is not a name that will be unfamiliar to fans of the academy, or those who watched United’s pre-season tour, as he featured on two occasions – against Leeds United and Everton.
The young winger gave a good account of himself and showed what he could bring to the side if given a chance to play in the first team this season. Mantato perfectly suits the system as a right-wing-back, like Amad.
As a left-footed right-winger, Mantato is the same profile as Amad and has similar tendencies when it comes to dribbling and shooting. Also, Amorim played a left-footed right-wing-back at Sporting CP – Geovany Quenda – so this is not a one-off experiment.
Unlike Amad and Quenda, Mantato has experience playing in defence despite being a right-winger, as he played as a left-back for Adam Lawrence in the under-18s side last season, before Lawrence left for pastures new.
There is no doubt he prefers going forward, but Mantato’s experience as a defender will help him impress Amorim in training and in matches if he gets a chance this season.
Scanlon and Fletcher are more attacking options
As well as Mantato, Jack Fletcher – son of Darren and brother of Tyler – and James Scanlon could be involved in the first-team sooner rather than later, as both have trained with Amorim’s side in recent weeks.
Fletcher and Scanlon are both attacking midfielders, but both can play on the right and left flanks respectively, making them ideal profiles for Amorim. Displacing Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo is unlikely, but they could provide competition towards the back end of the season.
Reece Munro and Godwill Kukonki have both impressed for United’s youth sides in central defence, with both players capable of playing at full-back as well. Sekou Kone and Tyler Fletcher have also impressed in the centre of midfield.
Despite not playing Amorim’s formation in the youth sides, there are several young players who suit his system perfectly and could transition into the senior side rather smoothly.
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