'Huge interest' in 19yo Man Utd starlet, recalled after successful loan spell

Manchester United are actively shaping the futures of their most promising youngsters as the winter transfer window gathers momentum.

United have officially recalled striker Ethan Wheatley from his loan spell at Northampton Town.

The 19-year-old has made 25 appearances for the League One side and has bagged three goals and four assists.

That spell is widely regarded as a productive learning curve, offering Wheatley regular minutes and a taste of the physical demands of the professional game.

According to journalist Simon Stone, there is huge interest from several other clubs and Wheatley is expected to go out on another loan for the second half of the campaign.

The Red Devils would like to see the England youth international tested in the Championship, where the intensity and quality would provide a sterner examination of his progress.

The talented striker is highly rated at academy level after coming all the way through the ranks at Carrington.

He won the Young Player of the Year award for 2023/24.

He also etched his name into club history by becoming the 250th academy graduate to represent the first team.

There is a growing belief inside the club that Wheatley possesses the tools to develop into a top-level forward.

However, he needs to score goals consistently to catch United’s attention.

Benjamin Sesko and Joshua Zirkzee are two senior centre-forwards at United.

The Dutchman is widely expected to leave either this month or in the summer, potentially creating space for an internal solution.

If Wheatley can sharpen his killer instinct in front of goal, United could be nurturing a homegrown answer rather than spending millions in the transfer market.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .