Manchester United are a club who demonstrate great faith in youth, and this could not have been more evident that in the recent FA Cup Final.
Teenagers Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo scored the goals to defeat City, becoming the youngest players to score in the FA Cup Final since Cristiano Ronaldo for Manchester United in 2004.
The pipeline of talent is not slowing down. Manchester United’s under-18s side are fresh off clinching their own treble, winning three trophies this past season.
One of the players in that squad is Ethan Wheatley, who became Manchester United’s 250th academy graduate when he made his first team debut last month.
Ethan Wheatley enjoys stunning season
Ethan Wheatley has enjoyed a remarkable season for the under-18s, establishing himself as a leader in the team, and fully earning his first team debut.
He scored 23 goals for Manchester United’s academy team in all competitions, also providing a further five assists.
Two of these goals came in the under-18s Premier League Cup Final, with United beating City 2-1, a prelude to the recent FA Cup Final.
Wheatley has continued his scoring streak at international level too, recently netting three goals in two appearances for England’s under-18s.
This is a season he will look back on proudly, a platform for hopefully far greater success ahead.
Willy Kambwala praises Ethan Wheatley
Ethan Wheatley is proud of his efforts for Manchester United’s academy teams over the past season and shared a video compilation of his best moments.
Wheatley’s Manchester United colleagues were impressed, paying tribute to his efforts, many of who played alongside him last season.
Jack Fletcher replied, ‘main man’, while Shea Lacey showed his respect with a comment reading ‘the man’.
There was also a response from Willy Kambwala, who wrote ‘too good’ in response to Wheatley’s video highlights.
Kambwala was on the bench at Wembley, now a regular in the first team squad, and his message in particular will have meant a lot to Wheatley.
The pair have played together before, lining up in the same side in the UEFA Youth League this past season.
The young striker will get a chance to impress during pre-season and try and show that he is ready to step up.
Kobbie Mainoo used pre-season last year to show he was ready, making a splash before his injury. It was enough for Erik ten Hag, who knew that once he was fit again, he could rely on the midfielder.
