Missing out on Antoine Semenyo is a blow, but Manchester United have the depth of talent to recover.
There is no doubt that Antoine Semenyo would have been a great addition to Manchester United’s squad, as one of the most in-form Premier League players this season.
Semenyo plays with pace, directness and goal threat, as United found out in the dramatic draw with Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
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Semenyo chose to chase the money at City, with United unwilling to match the wages on offer from The Etihad.
Among the attributes Semenyo would have brought to United, he would have been instantly ready to contribute. At the age of 25, he is in the best form of his life, and it has been a long journey to get there.
Manchester United must back one of the club’s own raw talents so that he can develop in the same way.
Bendito Mantato can become United’s Semenyo
Antoine Semenyo experienced a long journey to the top, after being rejected by various Premier League academies, before landing with Bristol City. His career only really got off the ground with a loan to Newport County.
The main point here is that it has taken him a long time to become the player we know today, who regularly produces top performances in the Premier League.
United already have a number of top quality first team attackers, so it makes some sense to pivot and lean into the development of young star Bendito Mantato.
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Mantato, 17, has been winning rave reviews for his performances in the academy for the past two years.
He is eight years behind Semenyo in his timeline, and there is a lot of time to be patient and back him to become a star.
Mantato shares key traits to his game with the Bournemouth and Ghana international.
- Pace
- Eye for goal
- Versatility
Mantato’s academy game time this season has been less consistent, because he spent a spell away with England at the under-17s World Cup.
Last season he led the under-21s for assists, while netting three goals of his own. And this was in addition to scoring nine goals for the under-18s.
He once netted four goals in an under-18s game, and has earned comparisons to Bukayo Saka.
Mantato can play as a winger, a wing-back, or even at full-back, and he can play on the left or right side. This makes him an attractive option in Ruben Amorim’s system, and enhances his chance of a breakthrough.
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Mantato close to making debut
On the day Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey made their Manchester United debuts against Aston Villa, Bendito Mantato was on the bench.
It was the first time the Manchester born talent had ever made the first team squad for a competitive game. He has traveled on overseas tours for friendlies, and benefited from close advice from Mason Mount.
Ahead of his 18th birthday in late January, Mantato would become one of Manchester United’s youngest ever debutants if he makes his debut.
After the game against Villa, captain Bruno Fernandes was seen taking Mantato under his wing to impart some important words of advice as the players left the pitch.
His progress clearly has Ruben Amorim taking note. While there is a long way to go to reach Semenyo’s levels, United have every reason to believe he can develop into a player who brings a similar goal threat from wide areas.
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