Man Utd have decided to recall young academy prospect Ethan Wheatley from his loan in the third tier.
Ethan Wheatley has been recalled from Northampton Town.(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
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Manchester United youngster Ethan Wheatley has been recalled from Northampton Town. Wheatley signed for Northampton on a season-long loan in August, but United have activated their break clause.
United insert break clauses in the contracts of each academy loanee to provide an opportunity to make a recall in January if required. United have considered Wheatley's loan stint at Northampton as a success, but he has been recalled because the club are seeking an alternative development opportunity.
Wheatley has received interest from throughout the football pyramid. Northampton are 20th in League One, and he could sign for a club in a better position in the third tier, or move into the Championship.
The youngster will continue his development on loan in a new environment in the second half of the campaign. Stephen Torpey, United's head of academy, is currently overseeing loans at Carrington after Jonny Evans decided to step down from his position as head of loans and pathways.
Wheatley made 20 league starts for Northampton and contributed three goals and four assists during his stint. He also represented England Under-20s during the September and November international breaks.
The striker featured for England at the Under-19 European Championship last summer, scoring two goals in two starts. The youngster reported to Carrington late after an extended break and was not named in the travelling squad to face Leeds in the opening pre-season friendly in Sweden.
United did not consider Wheatley for selection for the subsequent tour of the United States because he'd been earmarked for a loan exit.
Speaking last year, Wheatley told PA: "I want to be a Man United player in the future. If that doesn’t happen, then it obviously wasn’t meant to be. We’ll just see what happens in the future."
Wheatley was handed a new three-year contract in March 2025, with the option of an additional year.