Manchester United wonderkid Bendito Mantato justifies transfer interest with stunning four goal haul

Things were a lot different in 2008. The United Kingdom had a Labour government, indie music ruled the charts and Manchester United were kings of Europe.

It was also the year Bendito Mantato – the latest starlet to emerge in the United youth system – was born, with the teenager continuing to catch the eye in academy games in 2024. His latest heroic act was a four-goal superstar performance for United's in-form Under-18s as they came from 2-0 down to overcome Blackburn at Carrington on Saturday morning.

The first came on 40 minutes with the tall figure of Mantato cutting inside after some tricky footwork to reduce his side's arrears. Minutes after half-time Mantato scored his and United's second, firing home after a melee in the box. Victor Musa then made it 3-2 to Adam Lawrence's side, who have lost just once all season and sit comfortably top of the U18s Premier League North.

ALSO READ: United confirm stance on Rashford future

ALSO READ: Four United players set to return vs Liverpool

Then came two further pieces of Mantato magic, as the 16-year-old bundled home for his hat-trick just after the hour mark and completed the 5-2 rout on 78 minutes after slaloming through the Blackburn defence.

Mantato is not 17 until January and is highly rated in the United academy, with the club facing a fight to keep him amid interest from other Premier League teams. He joined United's academy at the age of nine and has represented England's youth teams. He made his debut for the United Under-18s at just 14 and continues to go from strength to strength.

As a speedy right-winger who likes to cut in on his left foot, Mantato has drawn comparisons with England and Arsenal star Bukayo Saka. It seems likely that he's got a big future