Wolves teenager Mateus Mane is hoping to build on his Premier League debut when his side faces Manchester United tonight.
The 18-year-old striker, who has roots in Guinea-Bissau, made his first top-flight start in last weekend’s defeat at Liverpool. Mane described the experience as both nerve-wracking and rewarding, praising the trust shown in him by the new manager.
“It felt good getting my first start in the Premier League,” Mane told the club’s website. “I feel like I deserved it with my hard work in training and when I’ve come on the pitch every game. I just kept working with my head down, and then the new manager came in and trusted me, and now I’m getting what I deserved, game time.
“I found out the day before in a meeting that I was starting. I was buzzing. I told my family, then felt confident. At first there were a lot of nerves, but then after a bit you realise this is where you want to play, where you want to be.”
Looking ahead to the clash with Manchester United, Mane is focused on maintaining Wolves’ intensity and resilience.
“We need to start the game how we ended the game, and if we concede don’t let that get to us. Keep our head up, keep going, fight and try to get goals,” he said.
The young Guinea-Bissau and England international added that the atmosphere at Wolves has changed under the new manager, who pushes players daily to perform at their best. “Everything’s changed around the building. He pushes us every day to get the best out of us. We just need to get a win,” Mane said.
With his Premier League career just beginning, all eyes will be on Mane to see if he can make an early impact against one of England’s biggest clubs.
