First-team coach sheds light on why record-breaking United academy wonderkid has not earned regular minutes

Manchester United decided to loan out three forwards during the January window, a decision that has returned to haunt the Red Devils.

Rasmus Hojlund’s goal drought has now crossed 15 games while Amad has suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Ruben Amorim could have certainly have done with additional firepower up front right about now.

Antony has been on fire since linking up with Real Betis on loan while Marcus Rashford is also starting to regain his form during his temporary stint with Aston Villa.

However the third loan departee has not fared as well. Academy wonderkid Ethan Wheatley joined League Two leaders Walsall hoping to earn first team minutes to catch Ruben Amorim’s eye.

Wheatley’s lack of minutes on loan

The 19-year-old started strongly, playing three consecutive games for the Saddlers, including making two starts and earning a total of 152 minutes of action.

But since the 2-2 with Salford City on February 1, he has been left out each of their last three matchday squads.

And as revealed by Walsall head coach Mat Sadler, his training displays were not up to scratch and hence his omission. But Sadler also revealed that Wheatley has improved on the training pitch and more minutes are on the way.

“Josh [Gordon] looks like he might be out for a little bit,” Sadler told the media (as quoted by MEN). “Ethan, of course, we’re going to need all of them.

Improvement in training

“What I will say about Ethan, since he hasn’t been in the squad, he has trained so, so well and put himself in consideration to be on the pitch.”

All these trials and tribulations are part and parcel of a loan spell and hopefully, Wheatley will adapt and learn quick on how to survive in a competitive first-team environment.

The England U19 international had created history last season when he became United’s 250th academy graduate to debut for the first-team with former boss Erik ten Hag handing him his maiden cap.

Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy had handed him his first appearance this season in the Carabao Cup and he had scored seven times for the reserves before his loan move.

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