Credit: TNT Sport/Imago

Cameron Smith

Sat 18 April 2026 17:21, UK

Mateus Mane was a shining light for Wolves as they fell to defeat against Leeds United.

After securing a huge win against Manchester United at Old Trafford, Daniel Farke’s side kept up the momentum as they raced to victory on home soil.

During the early stages, the Whites took the ascendancy against the basement dwellers, who are awaiting the confirmation of their relegation after a dismal term.

After a bright start, the hosts would take the lead through a James Justin overhead kick in the 18th minute, before Noah Okafor added a second directly after the restart.

Rob Edwards’ side showed exactly why relegation has been on the cards for the majority of the season at Elland Road, though former Leeds midfielder Michael Brown was wowed by the performance of 18-year-old Mane.

Michael Brown amazed with Mateus Mane after Leeds performance

Breaking into the team following Vitor Pereria’s sacking at the back end of last year, youngster Mane has been a shining light in what has been a dismal season for the Old Gold.

While his numbers have not skyrocketed, he has proven a real livewire in a side that do not have too much of the ball – all the while playing across the middle of the park and out wide.

The youngster would not make the starting XI at Elland Road, though he would soon find himself on the pitch, replacing Angel Gomes with Leeds carrying a 2-0 lead.

Covering the clash for the BBC, former Whites midfielder Brown was amazed by the youngster.

“Every time Mane gets the ball, something happens,” said Brown.

“He takes risks, and he will lose the ball, but he drives the line and keeps it alive. How exciting for a young player.”

Mateus Mane is the type of player Leeds should be targeting following survival

With survival all but confirmed for Farke and his side, the West Yorkshire outfit can now begin looking ahead to the summer.

Mane is raw, but has has shown supreme talent since bursting onto the scene this term.

If he is to get a move away from Wolves as they prepare for life in the Championship, a move to a club of Leeds’ ilk would be the perfect opportunity.

Last summer, Leeds solely recruited players over the age of 25, in the prime years of their careers.

This has worked wonders for survival. And now, they will look to future-proof the starting XI as they further settle into the Premier League.

With this in mind, players of Mane’s ilk would be the perfect type of signing for the Whites to make as they establish themselves, with a move potentially on the cards given Wolves’ precarious position.