Manchester United’s young players enjoyed a goal glut in the under-18s demolition win over Liverpool, a scoreline which ended 9-1.
Young full-back Jaydan Kamason commented after the game their attitude was ‘no mercy’, an attitude which has helped the team top the table with just one defeat all season.
The victory saw prolific forwards Ethan Wheatley, Gabriele Biancheri and Ethan Williams all add to their impressive goal tallies for the season.
Here is a look at how their numbers stack up after a dazzling 2023/24 season to date.
Ethan Wheatley
Ethan Wheatley helped himself to a hat-trick in Manchester United’s 9-1 win. He has had a real season of growth in the academy.
Wheatley has played the majority of his football for the under-18s, but also mixed in with the under-21s too and started to make an impact.
He has 18 goals in total plus a further five assists. Wheatley is a traditional penalty box striker, who is continuing to add to his game and showing real character with his desire to get on the scoresheet.
Like all strikers, he misses chances too, but when he does, he becomes even more determined to score the next one, rather than let it get him down.
Wheatley turned 18 in January and will step up to the under-21s on a full-time basis in 2024/25.
Ethan Williams
Ethan Williams has matched Wheatley with a total 23 goal contributions for the 2023/24 season so far.
Williams’ goals are broken down in a slightly different way. He has played more regularly for the under-21s this season, and has 15 goals in total.
The teenager is different kind of player to Wheatley. He operates as a winger, capable of playing on either flank, who likes to cut inside to central areas.
Williams is also dangerous with set pieces, with his corner kicks helping his healthy assists tally for the season.
He turned 18 in November and has been training with the first team throughout the campaign. He is one to keep an eye on in pre-season, and will start next season off in the under-21s.
Gabriele Biancheri
Gabriele Biancheri is in his first full season with Manchester United after signing from Cardiff City at the start of 2023.
Biancheri has played almost solely for the under-18s this season, recently making his under-21s debut with a seven minute appearance from the bench.
The 17-year-old is United’s third highest academy scorer this season behind Wheatley and Williams, although has more than Williams at under-18s level, 12 goals in total.
He was recently on target for Wales under-19s side, and signed a professional deal with the club last September.
Biancheri was pictured training with the Manchester United first team last month too, and while he may begin next season with the 18s, he could also have a more prominent role with the 21s too.