Manchester United youngster Ethan Wheatley made the breakthrough to the first team last month as a substitute in a 4-2 win over Sheffield United.
Ethan Wheatley became Manchester United’s 250th academy graduate when he made his debut, reward for a superb season in the academy, which came just 24 hours after he netted twice in the under-18s Premier League Cup final.
United are blessed to have another exciting youth striker following up too, who will be desperate to follow Wheatley.
Gabriele Biancheri, 17, is a year younger than 18-year-old Wheatley, and making a similar strong impression for the club’s academy sides.
Gabriele Biancheri record in 2023/24
This season Gabriele Biancheri has scored 17 goals for the under-18s side, level with Ethan Wheatley.
Biancheri caught up with Wheatley with two goals in the final league game of the season, with Jason Wilcox watching on.
In league competition, Biancheri struck 12 in 20 games. Wheatley only played seven league games, and scored eight goals, so has a far superior goals per game rate.
Biancheri took his total tally to 19 with two goals for the under-21 side. Wheatley netted five, ending his season with 22 goals in total.
Wheatley played a key role in United’s under-18s Premier League Cup campaign, scoring five goals in five games in the lead up to the final.
There is one more game to go when the North and South champions face off in the under-18s title play-off, so Biancheri could get to 20 goals for the season with a goal there.
Biancheri has trained with the first team
Gabriele Biancheri trained with the Manchester United first team in March. He is in the mix, and his development is being monitored by Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff.
Biancheri has every chance to be involved for United during pre-season, and he will want to continue his recent impressive progress.
United signed the Wales youth international striker from Cardiff City in January 2023, and he signed a professional deal last September.
There is a lot more to come from Biancheri at Manchester United, and his first team debut is a matter of when, and not if.
