One year since United’s 250th Academy graduate

Thursday 24 April 2025 15:07

It’s exactly one year since Manchester United reached the 250 Academy graduate landmark, when striker Ethan Wheatley made his debut at Old Trafford.

Ethan’s first appearance was just the latest marker in nine decades of unbroken dedication to the development of homegrown talent, which has continued in the 12 months since.

Toby Collyer followed Ethan as graduate no.251, with Chido Obi, Harry Amass and Tyler Fredricson coming next, all since the turn of the year.

Fans eager to see the next in line have a fantastic opportunity to do so this Friday, when our Under-21s host Everton in an exciting Premier League 2 play-off match at Leigh Sports Village.

Our fifth-placed league finish ensured qualification for the end-of-season 16-team knockout competition, the first match of which is against the 12th-placed Toffees.

All support at Leigh will be greatly appreciated by players and staff alike, and tickets are available to buy here from the LSV website.

The match will also be shown live on MUTV, where coverage begins five minutes before the 19:00 BST kick-off.

ONE YEAR ON FROM 250

As we hit the anniversary of our 250th Academy graduate, it’s worth reflecting again on the extraordinary achievement.

“What makes it so special is that it’s not been manufactured,” Nick Cox, Director of Academy, said at the time.

“It’s not a stunt. It’s something – just like the run of 4,000-plus games – that has been achieved organically as a consequence of our commitment to youth, as a consequence of that way of life.”

The four further debuts since, under two different bosses, have shown as much.

“As for Ethan, he was back at school on Thursday morning!” Nick continued.

“That’s how it works at Manchester United. And just as Ethan was back working hard, looking to the future the day after his debut, we at the Academy are already focused on ensuring these stories continue to be added to.”

Ethan’s own journey is certainly worth talking about, and features heavily in Lifeblood: Climbing the Mountain, the popular behind-the-scenes documentary you can watch below.

Lifeblood: Climbing the Mountain Video

Lifeblood: Climbing the Mountain

LIFEBLOOD 4 | ‘Climbing the Mountain’ follows the path of an Academy player, ending with an epic season finale…

Wheatley had the most extraordinary week around his debut, first being an unused substitute for our Emirates FA Cup semi-final victory at Wembley and then netting twice in one half to win United the Under-18 Premier League Cup against Manchester City. Just 24 hours after that moment, his debut arrived.

“Not really, no!” he replied, when asked by MUTV’s Liam Bradford if he’d properly processed the moment. “Even since Wembley, it’s just… nothing’s really kicked in yet!

“It’s a great club with a massive history, especially in the Academy as well.

“It’s just an honour to make my debut. And then that number 250 is just a little extra as well.”

The 12 months since also show how each player’s journey is unique. Alongside Wheatley on the substitutes bench at Wembley back in April 2024 was Amass. The left-back had to be more patient for his debut, waiting until March 2025 for the moment to come, away at Leicester City in a Premier League victory.

He’s since started two games — at Newcastle United and against Wolves at Old Trafford.

Wheatley, meanwhile, made a further three appearances for United in the 2023/24 season before travelling with the Reds on Tour 2024, presented by Snapdragon, to the US. He returned to be a key figure for the U21s side, and led the line for our UEFA Youth League team, too, before earning a loan move to Walsall in January.

There, he’s benefitted from exposure to a different senior environment, and has also had the opportunity to return to Carrington at times to train with his United team-mates and continue on his individual development plan.

WATCH THE U21s ON FRIDAY

Get your tickets for United U21s v Everton here.

Or subscribe to MUTV to watch the action live from 18:55 BST.