Ruben Amorim decides ‘new Bukayo Saka’ will probably be Man Utd star after Arsenal take a look at
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim is set to hand a first-team debut to a highly-rated young winger in the coming weeks, with the teenager having been compared to Bukayo Saka
Ruben Amorim is keen to give a young Manchester United player who has been likened to Bukayo Saka his chance in the first team before the season ends.
Despite United’s disappointing 13th place in the Premier League and their only realistic prospect of salvaging their season lying in a Europa League quarter-final against Lyon, Amorim is optimistic about introducing some of the club’s brightest young talents to the first team within the next couple of months.
Chido Obi, a forward, has already made four appearances as a substitute for the first team since joining from Arsenal, while Harry Amass made his senior debut in the 3-0 victory over Leicester prior to the international break.
The next youngster who could be given a chance is 17-year-old Bendito Mantato, if Amorim gets his way. It’s reported that Amorim is determined to include the winger in his first-team plans.
The teenager netted seven times in 13 games for the under-18s this season, including scoring the decisive goal in United’s FA Youth Cup quarter-final win over Arsenal.
Mantato has been training with the United first team while many of the senior players have been on international duty, alongside Obi, Amass, Reece Munro, Godwill Kukonki and Jim Thwaites, all hoping to impress Amorim.
The club are optimistic about rewarding Mantato, an England Under-17 international, with a new contract in the upcoming weeks. His promotion to first-team football is also seen as another reward for his impressive performances at youth level.
Mantato, who now primarily plays as a right winger, has previously played left-back for United’s youth teams, echoing the progression of Arsenal star Saka through the Gunners’ Hale End academy, reports the Mirror.
His versatility in both defensive and attacking roles could make him the ideal player for Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, with the United manager seeking more offensive output from his wing-backs.
Since joining United in November, Amorim has utilised players like Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui in his wing-back positions, with Patrick Dorgu, signed in January, occupying a position on the left.
