England under-18s international Bendito Mantato made his Manchester United debut during Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Wolves in the Premier League at Old Trafford.
Mantato, 17, is the latest academy prospect to be given minutes by Ruben Amorim this season, helped by United’s current injury issues and losing three players due to their involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The teenager has been at United since 2017, joining at the age of nine. Since then, he has gone on to play for the club at all age groups, as well as playing for England from under-15 to under-18 age groups.
Mantato, who is naturally a forward but has also featured as a full-back, replaced Manuel Ugarte for the final 15 minutes of the clash against Wolves.
To date, Mantato has made 50 appearances for United across under-18 and under-21 levels in their respective domestic leagues, as well as the EFL Trophy, FA Youth Cup and National League Cup.
The versatile attacker, who is of Angolan descent, first made the senior bench at United during the semi-finals of last season’s Europa League. While he did not feature, Mantato was an unused substitute for both legs of the win over Athletic Club.
Mantato earned his first Premier League squad involvement earlier this month. He was on the bench for matches against Aston Villa and Newcastle before his maiden senior appearance against Wolves.
In the National League Cup, Mantato scored against Solhull Moors last month and also netted against Arsenal during United’s FA Youth Cup quarter-final victory over the Gunners last season.
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Mantato was Manchester United’s sole representative at the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar in November but interestingly played as a full-back rather than an attacking player, as he has been used at age group levels at his club – and where he came on against Wolves for his senior debut.
A local lad, who has been at United’s academy for a decade, Mantato is exceptionally quick and strong for his age.
His ability to attack and defend was presumably why he was put on against Wolves ahead of a more tricky right-sided player in Shea Lacey.
He signed his first professional contract in May, which will keep him at Old Trafford until 2029.
This article is the latest from BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team.
