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Manchester United have fended off interest from Premier League rivals to retain wonderkid Bendito Mantato.
The 16 year old was amongst the group of academy players last week to sign scholarship terms.
The deal includes a pre-agreement for Mantato to sign a professional contract when he turns 17.
The Manchester Evening News reported that “Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle and Brighton showed an interest in signing Mantato but he will continue in Manchester and is relishing the prospect of making progress at United.”
Despite the interest though, Mantato has decided to remain at the club he joined at nine years old.
The youngster’s experience as a left back before pushing forward into a more advanced right wing role for the u18s last season has seen him garner comparison’s to England international Bukayo Saka.
A quick dribbler with good end product in the opposition area, Mantato has experience in the England set up as well, being capped at u16s level.
The young winger broke into United’s u18s in the latter stages of last season, scoring six goals and two assists in seven league appearances.
Four of his goals came in an unbelievable performance to secure a 5-2 win over Blackburn Rovers.
An important fixture, Mantato’s impact came at the perfect time for Adam Lawrence’s u18s, putting them back on track to end the season with a treble after their first loss of the season came in March.
Bendito isn’t the only Mantato at the club either, his younger brother JJ is also amongst the ranks at Manchester United.
It is the older Mantato though who looks set to make waves in the upcoming season, having tied down his future at United. Don’t be surprised to see him climbing through the age groups in quick succession.
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