Manchester United have made a decision on striker Ethan Wheatley ahead of transfer deadline day.
One of the Manchester United youngsters to feature in pre-season was young striker Ethan Wheatley, who became the club’s 250th academy graduate last season.
Strikers know they are judged on goals, and Wheatley, 18, will be frustrated to have hit the back of the net in any of his appearances.
Wheatley was not on the substitute’s bench for the Community Shield, despite Rasmus Hojlund’s injury absence, a signal that he like Harry Amass, has not quite won the manager’s trust just yet.
Ethan Wheatley next step
Manchester United are making a plan for Ethan Wheatley, and do not intend to send him out on a loan deal.
Manchester World report United are expected to sanction a number of loan deals for academy prospects before the transfer deadline – but Ethan Wheatley will not be among them.
An exception is being made for Wheatley, who Manchester United intend to keep around.
It is reported Ethan Wheatley will stay with Manchester United in the first half of the season and will not be sent out on loan.
A possible loan move will be re-assessed in the January transfer window. One striker, Joe Hugill, has already been sent on loan, signing with Wigan Athletic.
Wheatley scored 23 goals in all competitions for Manchester United’s youth sides in 2023/24.
| Goals under-18s | Assists under-18s | Goals under-21s | Assists under-21s | Total Goals | Total Assists | Total Goal contributions | |
| Ethan Wheatley 2023/24 | 18 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 23 | 5 | 28 |
Europa League opportunities lie ahead
Sticking around at Manchester United could be very valuable for Ethan Wheatley over the next few months.
He is likely to get opportunities in the 2024/25 Europa League, with United expected to manage the squad sensibly and rotate where possible, to negotiate the Thursday-Sunday schedule.
Wheatley, along with Toby Collyer and Harry Amass, are all likely to stick around. Others will head out on loan, but for those who stay, exciting opportunities and chances for game time lie ahead.
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