Manchester United teenager Bendito Mantato has reportedly signed a new deal at Old Trafford until June 2029.
The 17-year-old has scored eight goals and registered one assist in 15 appearances at academy level this season, including seven goals in 11 appearances in the Under-18s Premier League.
Mantato has also managed two goals and three assists in four outings in Premier League 2 this season, while he was on the bench for the first team against Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals of the Europa League last week.
The attacker has been capped on seven occasions by England Under-17s, and he is believed to be firmly on first-team manager Ruben Amorim's radar when it comes to a potential senior appearance.
Man United will continue to rotate in the Premier League while they search for Europa League glory, which will strengthen Mantato's chances of making a first-team outing before the 2024-25 season concludes.
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Mantato 'signs new contract' at Man United
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Mantato has signed a new deal at Man United until June 2029, with the Red Devils securing the future of one of their most impressive young players.
Mantato has previously drawn comparisons with Arsenal and England star Bukayo Saka due to his playing style.
Like Saka, Mantato came through the youth system as an attacking left-back, but he is now primarily bring used down the right, and Amorim allegedly believes that he could be an option for the right-sided wing-back role next season.
Man United had been heavily linked with Sporting Lisbon youngster Geovany Quenda, but the Portuguese recently agreed to join Chelsea, which is good news for Mantato in terms of a route into the first team.
The fact that the youngster has been in and around the senior squad in recent weeks is an indication of how highly he is rated, and a spot on the bench against Athletic in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday night is again probable.
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When could Mantato make his Man United debut?
Man United have another three Premier League matches before the end of the season, and the clashes against Chelsea and Aston Villa will come either side of the Europa League final in Bilbao.
Diogo Dalot's calf problem has, in theory, boosted Mantato's chances of being involved in the first team, and he could potentially be in the squad against West Ham United on Sunday.
A debut against Chelsea is also possible, as Amorim will ring the changes for that match if the team reach the Europa League final, which will take place on May 21.
Mantato may ultimately have to wait until next season to feature for the first team, but it will surely not be long before he is a genuine option for Amorim, with the teenager a very exciting prospect.
Matt Law
