Erik ten Hag has hailed Manchester United’s proud record of producing young talent after Ethan Wheatley became the 250th academy graduate to play for the first team in Wednesday night’s win over Sheffield United at Old Trafford.
Wheatley achieved the milestone when he came on as an 89th-minute substitute for Rasmus Hojlund in United’s 4-2 win, 24 hours after helping the club’s Under-18s reach the FA Youth Cup final when he scored both goals in a 2-1 victory over Manchester City.
Wheatley, 18, was one of five academy teenagers on the bench which also included Omari Forson, Harry Amass, Louis Jackson and Habeeb Ogunneye. He is the sixth academy player to make his senior debut under Ten Hag.
United’s tradition of blooding academy talent goes back nine decades and spans 4,254 games in which a graduate has been in the match-day squad. This season, homegrown players have contributed to around 26 per cent of all first-team minutes and either scored or assisted around 60 per cent of goals.
Ten Hag, who has brought Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo into the first-team during his two years in charge, said: ‘Everyone at Manchester United should be very proud of our record of producing so many players with the quality and character to represent this incredible club. All of us at Carrington feel the responsibility to build on the legacy of the Busby Babes, the Class of ‘92 and the many others who have contributed to the club’s fantastic history.
Erik ten Hag handed teenager Ethan Wheatley (left) his first team debut on Wednesday
Wheatley became the 250th academy graduate to play for the Man United senior side
Ten Hag wants to continue building on the legacy of the Busby Babes and Class of ’92 (pictured)
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‘Strengthening the pathway between the academy and first team has been one of my priorities as manager, and Ethan is the latest example of this process working well. The opportunity will always be open to those with the right talent and winning attitude to pull on the red shirt.’
Wheatley’s debut represents the latest success story for United’s academy head Nick Cox. ‘All of us in the academy are incredibly proud of this club’s illustrious history of youth development, and we congratulate Ethan on what is a fantastic personal achievement as well as a landmark for the club,’ said Cox.
‘Youth development is an important part of the lifeblood of Manchester United, running through all the great moments in the club’s history, and it is the responsibility of every new generation of academy players and staff to keep it going.
‘We owe thanks to the many talented coaches and visionary club leaders who contributed to this landmark, including James W Gibson, Walter Crickmer, Jimmy Murphy, Sir Matt Busby, and Sir Alex Ferguson. And there are countless others behind the scenes, from scouts to kit staff, ground staff to chefs, drivers to teachers who play a vital role in supporting our young players to maximise their potential.’
