Ethan Wheatley has returned to Manchester United after being recalled from Northampton Town this week, but the young striker could be set for an immediate return to League One.
Manchester United sent Ethan Wheatley on loan to League One outfit Northampton Town in the summer.
Northampton Town manager Kevin Nolan praised Wheatley early in his spell. The 19-year-old made a total of 25 appearances and registered seven goal contributions.
That includes 20 starts in the third division, which makes it a successful loan because the youngster gained valuable experience, although with a struggling side that will be fearing relegation to League Two.
Wheatley scored his first professional goal in Northampton’s 2-0 win over Exeter City, but he hopes that was the first of many as he looks to continue his development.
United often insert break clauses into the contracts of the academy players sent out on loan, but it now looks like Wheatley could be returning to League One.
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Ethan Wheatley playing for Northampton Town
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Ethan Wheatley set to sign for Bradford City
Just days after returning to United from Northampton Town, it looks like Wheatley is on the move again.
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United seemingly ended Wheatley’s loan stint at Northampton because a better offer was proposed for the young forward, who has clearly impressed in League One.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Wheatley will spend the second half of the season on loan at fellow League One outfit Bradford City.
Loan deals at United are currently managed by the head of academy, Stephen Torpey, following Jonny Evans’ decision to step down from the role as head of loans and pathways.
While Northampton Town are in the League One relegation zone, Bradford City represent a step up because they are third in the third division, six points adrift of the top of the table with a game in hand.
Wheatley is under contract at United until the summer of 2028, but the Red Devils have an option to extend that by a further year.
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Northampton Town manager Kevin Nolan planned for Ethan Wheatley recall
Nolan has revealed that Wheatley’s departure was something Northampton Town had planned for midway through the season.
The former Bolton striker turned manager stresses that Wheatley’s exit doesn’t change Northampton’s transfer plans in the January transfer window.
Nolan admitted it’s ‘disappointing’ because he feels Northampton Town have helped Wheatley’s development, but the young forward now joins a team that will be pushing for promotion to the Championship.
“I wouldn’t say it’s changed our plans because you have to prepare for stuff like this,” Nolan told Northampton Town’s official website.
“There’s always an option on loan deals, that’s standard practice, but I asked Ethan to be straight up and honest with us and he was and he’s not our concern any more – he’s the concern of Manchester United and whoever he goes to.
“We move on and hopefully we can welcome a new arrival to the club in the next few days rather than weeks.
“We knew this could happen so we had a plan and we are probably further on with that than most people would expect.
“Ethan going is disappointing because we expected to be able to keep Ethan for the rest of the season.
“It took me a little bit by surprise because of the work we did in the summer and we feel we have helped Ethan and he’s improved with us and there was room for further improvement too.
“But he’s Manchester United’s player and they have every right to do what they want to do with him. He’s injured at the moment and will be for the next few weeks and we wish him a speedy recovery and I hope he does well in the future, but we have to move on and we already have. We’ve known this might happen and we have been working on getting someone else in as quickly as possible. I’m hoping that’s sooner rather than later.”
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