‘He will fly’: Mateus Mane’s Wolves rise and Arsenal assist earn high praise | OneFootball

Mateus Mane’s rapid emergence at Wolves continued with another decisive cameo, the 18-year-old influencing events off the bench at leaders Arsenal.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, Rob Edwards has leaned on the teenager in recent weeks, even ahead of senior options. At the Emirates he crossed for Tolu Arokodare to level, before Arsenal found a winner moments later.

Raised at Barreirense in Portugal, Mane moved to Manchester in 2016 and was signed by Rochdale that year. He rose through the ranks and was in the first-team squad for a National League game against Dagenham and Redbridge in February 2024.

Within weeks he joined Wolves’ academy and climbed quickly. He was involved in a Wolves squad in February the following year and ended last season with a Premier League debut.

Still only 18, he has made five top-flight appearances for Wolves this season, the latest in Saturday’s defeat at Arsenal.

Before his sacking earlier this season, Vitor Pereira said he pushed the club to secure Mane’s first professional deal in the summer amid outside interest. He called him a focused, hard-working talent, adding that greater physicality will help him go far.

James Collins, who stepped up as Wolves interim boss earlier in the season, called Mane top class and praised his defending and off-ball work.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com