Man Utd fast-track wonderkid who was born weeks before Red Devils last won Champions League into first-team training
MANCHESTER UNITED starlet Bendito Mantato featured in first-team training yesterday.
The winger, 16, was born in January 2008 – just months before the Red Devils’ last Champions League triumph against Chelsea in Moscow.
Five days after Mantato’s birth, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a double, including an iconic free-kick, in a 2-0 win over Portsmouth at Old Trafford.
The exciting youngster joined United’s academy aged nine and has emerged as one of its most promising prospects.
With the Red Devils set to be without as many as 10 first team players for the upcoming clash with Everton, boss Erik ten Hag has looked to his youngsters in training.
Mantato was pictured alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Willy Kambwala during yesterday’s session.
The wonderkid has played for England at youth level and has even been compared to Bukayo Saka.
According to the Manchester Evening News he has drawn interest from away from Old Trafford, although United remain hopeful of agreeing a professional deal with him when he becomes eligible on his 17th birthday.
If Mantato were to leave, the Red Devils would likely receive a six-figure sum in compensation.
In addition to Mantato and Kambwala, youngsters Habeeb Ogunneye, Toby Collyer, Ethan Wheatley, Ethan Williams, Sonny Aljofree, Louis Jackson, and Charlie McNeill were also involved in the session.
Ten Hag, 54, is set to be without defenders Jonny Evans, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia for the clash with Everton.
Long-term absentees Mason Mount and Anthony Martial also remain missing, with Rasmus Hojlund not ready to return.
Reserve goalkeeper Tom Heaton is also out.
The Red Devils will look to bounce back from their Manchester derby defeat last weekend when they take on Everton at Old Trafford in Saturday’s early kick off.
They will then have just one match in 21 days, with Ten Hag and Co hoping to get players back from injury ahead of a busy run-in.
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