Manchester United have a new first team debutant with Ethan Wheatley coming on to make his first senior appearance.
Ethan Wheatley, 18, became Manchester United’s 250th academy debutant and the sixth under current manager Erik ten Hag.
Wheatley was a 90th minute substitute against Sheffield United, and got nine minutes in total with plenty of stoppage time played to make up for the Blades’ time-wasting when the scores were level.
The teenager was unable to mark his debut with a goal, but didn’t get an opportunity, despite the efforts of teammate Bruno Fernandes.
Ethan Wheatley welcomed on by Bruno Fernandes
Following his debut, Ethan Wheatley spoke to MUTV to discuss his history making appearance.
He explained how he was welcomed onto the pitch by Bruno Fernandes, who promised to try and get him an assist.
Wheatley explained: “He pulled me to the side and told me I’ve got nine minutes to try get you a goal.”
Fernandes couldn’t quite manage it, although there was one moment. He put in a cross searching for Wheatley at the far post but the Sheffield United defence was able to cut it out.
This was pretty much the only time Sheffield United managed to stop Fernandes all night.
Minutes earlier he had set up a goal for Rasmus Hojlund, ending the Dane’s most recent goal drought.
Fernandes was outstanding, creating nine goalscoring chances in total, and scoring two goal. One was a penalty, the other, a spectacular long range strike.
The Portuguese star backed Wheatley’s comments, telling MUTV that he was annoyed at himself for not pulling off the pass he tried to set him up.
“At the end of the game I got a little bit too erratic.
“I tried to give him a goal, because he is a young kid coming through the academy, I know the moment is massive for him and getting a goal in his first appearance would be massive, I couldn’t give the assist for him but I tried, at the moment I rushed it a little bit too much.
“If he gets chances in the future he will get his goals too.”
More young players could follow Wheatley
There were more young players on the bench all hoping to be Manchester United’s academy graduate number 250.
The young striker got the nod, but 251, 252, 253 awaits, it doesn’t matter, they just want to get their chance too.
Left-back Harry Amass, right-back Habeeb Ogunneye, and centre-back Louis Jackson were all among the substitutes.
This does reflect an unprecedented injury crisis which is expected to ease, so each of them will be keen to grab an opportunity while it is in sight, before first team returnees take their places.