Ruben Amorim aims to significantly influence the Manchester United squad during the upcoming summer transfer window by releasing several players who do not meet the required standards.
The Red Devils have struggled in the lower half of the Premier League standings throughout the 2024/25 season, failing to meet the expectations of their supporters.
Nevertheless, the 40-year-old manager has only had one transfer window to effect change at Old Trafford, necessitating additional time before a fair assessment of his leadership can be made.
He is hopeful that the club’s management will support him in his efforts to restore the team to its rightful place at the top of the league, a position they have historically occupied during the successful era of Sir Alex Ferguson.
However, recent developments regarding one player’s future suggest that a reunion may be highly improbable.
Man Utd look set to miss out on Geovany Quenda
David Ornstein reports that Chelsea has reached an agreement to acquire Sporting CP wing-back Geovany Quenda for a fee estimated at around £40 million, which is an extraordinary amount for a 17-year-old player.
As part of the arrangement, Quenda will spend the upcoming season on loan at the Portuguese club before officially signing an eight-year contract with Chelsea, joining the team in the summer of 2026.
Manchester United had also shown interest in securing his services, with coach Amorim likely eager for a reunion, considering the young player’s impressive performance under his mentorship in Portugal.
During the 2024/25 season, Quenda has recorded two goals and six assists in 43 matches across all competitions, leading the Red Devils to potentially regret not finalizing a deal with Sporting before Chelsea intervened.
Nevertheless, fans need not be concerned, as the club already possesses a player who has the potential to surpass the teenager’s abilities, provided he receives first-team opportunities in the near future.
The Man Utd star who could be Amorim’s next Quenda
Patrick Dorgu joined the club in January from the Italian team Lecce, aiming to secure the left-back position, which has historically posed challenges for various managers.
During his brief time at Old Trafford, the Dane has already made a significant impact, participating in six matches across all competitions, with his standout performance occurring in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
Conversely, the right-back position remains a topic of discussion, as Amorim may have his own version of Quenda in the talented 17-year-old Bendito Mantato, who has shone at the youth level.
Mantato is capable of playing as a full-back or on either wing in the attacking phase, demonstrating the flexibility to fit into a wing-back role within Amorim’s five-back formation.
This season, the young player has recorded seven goals and one assist in 14 appearances for the youth team, underscoring his potential as an offensive threat.
| Bendito Mantato’s stats for United at Youth Level (2024/25) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Competition | Games | Goals | Assists |
| U18 Premier League | 10 | 6 | 0 |
| FA Youth Cup | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| UEFA Youth League | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Premier League 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 14 | 7 | 1 |
| Stats via Transfermarkt | |||
Analyst Ben Mattinson has characterized the teenager as both “creative” and “explosive,” while also noting that he shares several attributes with Quenda, who transitioned into a slightly deeper position. This strategic move has significantly advanced Quenda’s career, as evidenced by his imminent transfer to Chelsea.
The player’s one-on-one skills have garnered attention within the academy over recent months, undoubtedly playing a crucial role in his impressive goal-scoring record for the youth team.
Mattinson has previously remarked that the player’s recovery speed makes him an ideal candidate for a wing-back position, effectively utilizing both of his primary strengths and providing the manager with another promising young talent in the squad.
If Amorim has successfully developed a young player in the past, it is reasonable to believe he could replicate that success with Mantato, enabling him to flourish and compete for a spot in the first team.
While integrating such a young talent into the senior squad may pose a risk, history at Sporting has shown that high-risk decisions can yield significant rewards, potentially helping fans move on from the disappointment of losing the Portuguese star.
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