Manchester United academy star Bendito Mantato could be promoted to first-team by Ruben Amorim | OneFootball

Manchester United’s highly-regarded talent Bendito Mantato is expected to be handed first-team opportunities under Ruben Amorim.

Amorim ended the duopoly of SL Benfica and FC Porto in 2021, steering Sporting CP to their first Primeira Liga title in almost two decades. Most impressively, the 39-year-old tactical genius managed the feat, which he repeated last season, without spending too much.

He turned Sporting’s fortunes by relying on the club’s academy and improving individual player performance. INEOS would now hope to see the same magic in Manchester.

Recently, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming Amorim is excited to work with Leny Yoro. The 19-year-old centre-back is considered a generational talent by the new manager as well as his staff.

Now, a report from the Manchester Evening News suggests another young United talent might push his way into Amorim’s plans.

It is understood that Mantato, 16, could “eventually be promoted to the first-team” by the Portuguese manager.

The Englishman, who joined United’s academy aged nine, is viewed as one of the most promising prospects at the club and is currently a regular fixture in United’s U-18 side. He was even rewarded with an appearance for the Under-21s recently.

Mantato previously played at left-back, but this season he has mostly played as a winger on the right flank.

This progress has also led to comparisons with Arsenal star Bukayo Saka, who made his breakthrough in North London as a full-back before establishing himself as an elite forward.

The experience of playing as a defender as well as an attacker has supposedly increased Mantato’s chances of breaking into the first team under Amorim.

Wing-backs are a crucial part of his 3-4-3 system and United first-team don’t have too many players like Mantato, who has positional awareness, pace, intensity, and dribbling ability to shine in that area of the field.

This season, the youngster has scored six goals and assisted once in nine appearances across all competitions.