Manchester United U18s took on Liverpool on Saturday away from home and put on an absolute masterclass.
On the eve of the Premier League game seeing Liverpool come to Old Trafford, the under-18s had their derby game.
The two academy sides met at the AXA training ground and for Manchester United‘s U18s, it was probably the most rewarding win of the season.
9-1 was the final scoreline thanks to three goals from Ethan Wheatley.
Also among the goals were James Scanlon and Gabriele Biancheri with two each and then one each from Ethan Williams, lastly Ashton Missin who scored a brilliant goal.
It was a phenomenal performance which showed the levels between the two sides and just how exciting this United academy is now.
Here’s how the game went…
Ethan Wheatley grabs a hattrick for Manchester United
Leading the absolute hammering of Liverpool was No. 9, Wheatley with three of the nine goals.
But the scoring was opened by Scanlon who scored inside a minute after a delightful cut-back.
The scoring quickly began to resemble a rugby scoreline after Wheatley grabbed two in quick succession. The two goals were excellent striker finishes as he continues to look a top prospect.
Wheatley even pulled out the famous Wayne Rooney vs Tottenham boxing celebration after his first.
Williams made it 4-0 in the 25th minute with a brilliant solo goal from range.
The second half then saw Wheatley finish off his hat trick with another cool goal. He first sat down the defender and goalkeeper to give himself an easy finish.
Scanlon then grabbed his second of the game to make it 6-1 at the time.
Biancheri emerged from the bench to make it 8-1 with a brace of his own, before the scoring was wrapped up by Missin with an excellent shot from range.
Wheatley looks like a real star
While the entire team deserve plaudits and could easily be singled out for praise, it’s Wheatley who deserves the most.
A wonderful hat-trick inspired United and took his season tally to eight in the U18 PL in just seven games.
During the game, MUTV pundit David Fox raved about Wheatley.
“He’s dynamic, he’s powerful,” Fox explained.
“There’s just one thing on his mind when he’s in this position [near goal] ‘Can I get a shot on target?'”
With striking options limited and the Premier League season now looking unlikely to yield Champions League football, Wheatley will be right up there as a potential late-season debut.