Ruben Amorim ready to hand debut Man Utd starlet, 17, compared to Bukayo Saka | Football

Ruben Amorim is eager to hand a first-team debut to Manchester United youngster Bendito Mantato before the end of the season.

The 17-year-old has established himself as one of United’s brightest young talents during another impressive campaign for the Under-18s having registered seven goals in 13 appearances.

Mantato has also shone in United’s FA Youth Cup campaign, scoring the winner against Arsenal in the quarter-final stage of the competition.

His performances have also caught the eye of first-team coach Amorim, who has included the winger in first-team training this week.

He was joined by Reece Munro, Godwill Kukonki and Jim Thwaites working with the first-team at Carrington on Friday, alongside Chido Obi and Harry Amass who have already been handed senior debuts this term.

United are now planning to reward the teen with a new long-term contract next week, according to Fabrizio Romano with the club regarding him as ‘part of the project for present and future’.

Mantato has drawn early comparisons with Arsenal star Bukayo Saka, predominantly featuring on the right this season.

Like Saka, Mantato previously played at left-back for United’s academy side before progressing into a more advanced role on the right.

The England Under-17 international could be looked at as an option at right wing-back by Amorim should he decide to hand him his first-team bow this season.

Amorim has demonstrated his eagerness to turn to the club’s youth academy this season, naming seven youngsters in his squad against Tottenham in February after a series of injury blows.

Of that group, Obi has gone onto make four appearances off the bench.

The 17-year-old striker, who joined United after leaving Arsenal last summer, turned in a thrilling cameo appearance in the FA Cup defeat to Fulham having also featured against Everton and Leicester City.

Amass meanwhile made his debut in the 3-0 win over the Foxes prior to the international break.

The left-back impressed during the pre-season tour last summer and was handed his first-team bow on the day of his 18^th birthday.

‘It is an incredible experience,’ Amass told MUTV after his debut. ‘I am just proud at the moment and I think my family, everyone watching at home, will be proud of me.

‘I am just grateful for the opportunity and hopefully there is many more to come.’

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