Manchester United have sent a number of Academy products on loan this season, and one Academy star has been sent out for his second loan of the season.
While on the surface, Manchester United’s January business may look non-existent, a lot of business has been done with the Academy sides that will develop their talent and put the club in good standing for the future.
While some talent left the club permanently, a number have been recalled from their loans from the start of the season and sent out to more challenging clubs for the remainder of the season.
Harry Amass is one of these players who, after impressing at Sheffield Wednesday for the first half of the season, agreed to join a Norwich side that will be battling for their place in the Championship and could add some great experience to Amass’s resume.
Ethan Wheatley, a part of the U21 setup at Manchester United, was on loan at League One side Northampton, but has now been offered a fresh challenge at a side that will be battling for promotion to the Championship.
Ethan Wheatley joins Bradford City on loan
Ethan Wheatley is the latest Academy talent to be sent back on loan for the remainder of the season. In the first half of the season, the 20-year-old impressed at Northampton Town, scoring three and assisting three in 22 League One appearances.
With his loan side sitting in 23rd place, battling to stave off relegation, Manchester United decided to re-evaluate Wheatley’s plan for the season, and decided to send him to fifth-place Bradford City, as they battle for promotion to England’s second flight.
Bradford manager Graham Alexander spoke to club media to express his excitement over the signing, saying, “We are delighted to bring Ethan in to bolster our attacking options. He has fantastic attributes for a forward player, with plenty of League One games under his belt this season already.
“He showed a great desire to join us when we spoke, and I believe he is going to enjoy his time with us.”
Man Utd’s loan business has been crucial
Speaking about his move, Wheatley said, “I am buzzing. We have been in discussions for quite a while, and I am excited to get the deal done and hopefully help the lads for the rest of the season.
“I hope I can add to the side after the strong start they have made and score goals. The last couple of months at Northampton, I grew as a player, and I want to continue doing that here.”
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With Manchester United only having the Premier League to contend with, minutes that young talent would normally get in cup competitions have not been there this season, meaning the loan system has been a key part of the club’s planning for the future.
Getting regular gametime adds extremely valuable experience to a young talent that isn’t there in the academy system, as the club continues to develop their next crop of stars.
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