Mateus Mane is hoping to have caught the eye of Vitor Pereira and the Wolves first-team staff with his impressive displays for the under-21s so far this season.
The forward – who has one senior appearance to his name after making his Premier League debut in May – put in a stunning display to help the under-21s to victory over Wigan Athletic in the Vertu Trophy, as he claimed an assist early on before firing the winning goal from the penalty spot in the closing stages of the contest.
With his performances against the League One side earlier this week, as well as what he has offered to James Collins’ team throughout their array of competitions this season and his efforts in first-team training, Mane is ready to take any senior opportunity which could come his way.
On victory in the Vertu Trophy
“It was a good win. I thought it was a good win as a team, and I feel like we stayed strong mentally, we stayed together until the end, and we got what we deserved at the end with the goal.”
Penalty won ✅
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) October 9, 2025
Penalty scored ✅ pic.twitter.com/feBwUCaBzU
On playing against senior EFL teams
“These games are a good opportunity for us to play against a league team, to see how it is when that is where we want to be and that’s where we want to get to.
“It’s good to see how they play, how competitive it is and how aggressive it is, so we’re ready for when we go there and do it.
“Of course, it’s more difficult when you’re playing against league teams; physically and mentally. Most times when under-21 teams come here, they try to play 21s football, but today I feel like mentally we were stronger, we were up for it, we went all in and we got the win that we deserved.”
On contributing with a goal and an assist
“It was good because they’d broken for an attack and I saw them, but I knew I just had to help the team to get back, so I got back, got the ball, played a nice ball through to Tom and he scored with a nice finish as well.
“I feel like we’ve been working on it a lot. One-v-one defending and attacking, and I feel like we’ve been improving as a team.
“Today, we’ve shown what we can do, but it helps that we’ve been doing it in training.”
"We got what we deserved at the end!"
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) October 8, 2025
Mateus Mane on last night's win at Wigan in the @VertuTrophy ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/9CZilIttC9
On his individual performance
“I was pleased with it, but I just try to help the team every time I play. I just do what I do best; create chances, score goals, and I feel like today I proved what I can do. I got an assist early on in the game and then last chance of the game I got the goal which we deserved.
“I’m pleased because I’ve been working every day, either with the first-team or the 21s – wherever I get put – and I just do what I do best, create chances and score goals.
“I’ve just got to wait for my opportunity now to go and show it in a first-team environment.”
