When you have a 17-year-old like Obi-Martin, who makes his debut at Ruben Amorim, you realize there are good opportunities for academy players to step up. For a 19-year-old who has played outside the biggest spotlights at United, now comes a strong signal that the dream of playing time beyond the 4 games in the senior team is alive.
Manchester United must and must get the long-term striker solutions in place (read: strikers who deliver throughout the season and crack the code in the Premier League). Neither Hojlund nor Zirkzee have proven fit to take on this responsibility, the 17-year-old Obi-Martin showed he could play his way to three big chances against Fulham in the FA Cup. Now it is announced that Ethan Wheatley is also part of the long-term plan.
The 19-year-old was on an expiring contract this summer, usually a sure sign that a change of club is approaching. In January, the United player was sent on loan to League Two club Walsall. So far, there have only been three games without scoring, but United are still convinced
On Thursday, Wheatly got a contract ready for signing at United until 2028.
For those who haven’t caught on to Wheatley’s journey as a striker at the United academy:
14 goals in 28 U18 games
10 goals in 22 U21 games
This is a striker we will keep an eye on in the future.
