Manchester United had to come back from a goal down on two separate occasions before finally seeing off Premier League’s bottom club Sheffield United 4-2 at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
The team needed to put on a strong show against the Blades after their capitulation on Sunday but it was the visitors who drew first blood after a careless mistake from Andre Onana.
Harry Maguire equalised before half-time but the second half once again saw Chris Wilder’s side re-take the lead through Ben Brereton Diaz.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes then took matters into his own hands, scoring from the spot to restore parity before unleashing a left-footed piledriver to hand the Red Devils the lead.
The Portuguese was not done yet as he then registered an assist for the team’s fourth netted by Rasmus Hojlund, who also ended his six-game drought.
United’s new approach
Erik ten Hag’s side clinched all three points and went up to sixth in the table and it was interesting to see the team adopt a more possession-based approach instead of the usual transition-heavy style.
Whether the change was necessitated due to Jason Wilcox’s instructions is still not clear. How the team approaches the upcoming tests will shed further light on whether this approach will be the blueprint moving forward.
The other big highlight from the game was the emergence of academy sensation Ethan Wheatley from the bench in the 90th minute. The 18-year-old became the 250th academy star to debut for the first team, a remarkable stat and testimony to the work put in behind the scenes at Carrington.
The centre-forward has 11 goals and four assists for United’s age group teams this season including a hat-trick against the Liverpool U18s earlier this month. The United U18s have run rampant all season, clinching a league and cup double.
He has been a part of the matchday squad for the games against Coventry City in the FA Cup and Bournemouth in the league and finally got a chance against the Blades.
With Anthony Martial set to leave, and with Hojlund still not fully adapted, Wheatley has the chance to try and rack up a few more caps and hopefully score before the season concludes.
With United set to go all out for a striker in the summer, the England U17 international might find chances hard to come by next season and Givemesport have already revealed that plenty of EFL clubs are interested in a potential loan.
Wheatley’s future
Academy full-back Harry Amass has also been on the first team bench a lot recently is also subject of loan interest as is Omari Forson, whose contract ends in the summer and there is plenty of uncertainty surrounding his future.
“Ethan Wheatley’s goal exploits for the Under 18 side has made him a major loan target for Championship and League One clubs next season.
“And the striker isn’t the only United player being eyed for a loan opportunity. Left-back Harry Amass and midfielder Omari Forson are both interesting Championship sides.”
More academy debutants could be on the way as the likes of Jack Fletcher, Habeeb Ogunneye, and Shea Lacey are all champing at the bit.
Whatever happens next summer, Wheatley should be proud of his rise but he needs to keep focussing on improving as the hard work has only just started.
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