Ethan Wheatley has been back amongst the goals by scoring for England U19 against Wales.
The 19-year-old has been on loan in League Two with Walsall since January, where things have not gone to plan.
Manchester United’s U21 forward has only made three appearances for the Sadlers with all three coming in the first week he was at the club.
Since playing 57 minutes against Salford on the first of February, Wheatley hasn’t played a minute for Walsall, only making the bench once, last week against Bromley.
Stat For Walsall
Games 3
Goals 0
Shots 3
Passes 9
Dribbles 1
Ethan Wheatley will be disappointed with how things have gone. Wheatley was lauded upon his arrival at Walsall.
Despite these struggles on loan, United handed Wheatley a new contract at the club to signify that they had faith in his talent.
Photo by Jan Kruger - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Jan Kruger – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Ethan Wheatley scores for England U19 vs Wales
It hasn’t been the ideal start to life on loan for Wheatley, and he will have been thrilled to see the international break arrive this week.
Wheatley was called up by England’s U19 side for their Euro elite qualifying fixtures and kicked off the break against Wales on Wednesday night.
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Wheatley scored for England in a 2-0 victory, which also saw Wheatley get one over on his United academy teammate Gabriele Biancheri who – unlike himself – failed to score in the game.
This defeat ended a brilliant run for Biancheri in Wales colours as he was pushing for a call-up in higher age groups. Italy were also keen to call Biancheri up lately, with a Como swoop to sign him said to play a part, but his intention is to represent Wales.
READ: Man Utd under-21s top scorers and assists in 2024/25, all results
Ethan Wheatley stuck in limbo at Manchester United
While Wheatley was so clinical this season for United’s academy and was seen as the third-choice striker under Erik ten Hag, his situation has now changed massively.
His eight goals for the U21s have already been forgotten, with Chido Obi impressing Ruben Amorim enough to secure his promotion to the first team. This means Wheatley doesn’t have a place in the team this summer.
So the teenager is stuck being too good for youth football but is struggling at the lowest rung of the EFL.
So the striker is somewhat stuck in limbo and this summer will likely be dedicated to finding him another loan which is better suited – or perhaps even a sale with a buy-back option.