Manchester United starlet Ethan Ennis made his first appearance in over a year on Friday night during the 1-1 Premier League 2 draw away at Fulham.
Did you know that the 18-year-old winger already has a place in the Manchester United history books?
As pointed out by Sports Illustrated, Ethan Ennis became the first player in six decades to move directly from Liverpool to Man United when rejecting a new contract at the Anfield giants back in 2021.
His progress since then, however, has been frustratingly restricted following a cruciate ligament injury which kept Ennis out of action during the entirety of last season.
The teenager’s return to competitive action, then, was an understandably emotional moment for a player desperate to make up for lost time, Ennis playing the entirety of the second 45 minutes away at Fulham on Friday.
Ethan Ennis back for Manchester United
“After 14 months since my last competitive game, it was an unbelievable feeling to be back out there tonight,” Ennis writes on Instagram, his relief pouring off the page.
“A good point on the road for the team to top it off.”
Ennis, labelled the most talented youngster in Manchester United’s ranks by The Guardian back in 2021, marked his debut season at the Red Devils with 10 goals and three assists in the Under 18 Premier League.
Ennis now represents the club at Under 23 level, despite still being six weeks out from his 19th birthday.
Kobbie Mainoo returns to action too
Fellow United whizzkid Kobbie Mainoo also marked his return from injury this week, featuring in the UEFA Youth League on Thursday.
“It’s important he gets those minutes. He’ll feel a lot more confident after that,” Man United reserve coach Travis Binnion told MUTV, Mainoo expected to compete for a place in Erik ten Hag’s first XI over the coming months.
“I don’t know what’s in store for him in the next few weeks. But he’s going to try and keep building up now and, hopefully, he can get in and around that first-team squad.”