It was yet another landmark moment for Manchester United’s rich youth heritage this week as the Red Devils made way for the 250th academy player, with 18-year-old Ethan Wheatley making his debut against Sheffield United – and Bruno Fernandes wanted to make it special.
A whirlwind week or two is putting it lightly for young Ethan Wheatley, whose role in the Under 18’s recent League and Cup double earned him not only a call-up to the bench for the FA Cup semi-final this past Sunday but also his first senior appearance at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
Wheatley won the league with his side last week, having scored a hattrick in the youth team’s 9-1 win over rivals Liverpool earlier this month, but also managed to bag a brace against Manchester City in the Cup final on Tuesday night – the first time the club has ever lifted the trophy.
Cut to less than 24 hours later and he was named in the matchday squad against The Blades. While he might have only been given a short cameo, he was determined to make it as special as possible. So too was Fernandes, apparently, as Wheatley revealed a simple message from his captain before coming on.
You can see the moment Bruno gives Wheatley a clear instruction seconds after making his debut for United.
Speaking to MUTV after the home side’s 4-2 win over last-placed Sheffield, the Stockport-born striker said everything of what you would expect following his debut: “It’s an honour”, “a dream come true” and so on, but also revealed that man of the match was determined to help him score.
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Wheatley said, “Bruno pulled me to the side and told me ‘I’ve got nine minutes to try and get you a goal!” He might not have managed it in the small window he was given but he certainly came close to a chance or two and it was apparent from the stands that he was trying to carve out any opportunity he could.
As for the 29-year-old Portuguese midfielder, who scored twice and grabbed an assist on the night, he told club media: “[Wheatley] should be really proud of himself. I hope he had his family and friends here today to see him because it’s a moment to not forget. It’s something he will always remember.”
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It wasn’t just a special night for the youngster specifically, either, as he was also one of three U18s stars included in the matchday squad alongside Harry Amass and Louis Jackson, meaning that Man United continue to uphold a truly incredible stat when it comes to bringing through youth prospects.
There hasn't been a matchday squad without a Man United academy graduate involved since 1937.
This evening, Ethan Wheatley became the 2⃣5⃣0⃣th academy player to appear for the first team.
It looked as though it might be another chaotic night for the Reds when the visitors opened the scoring in the 35th minute and even managed to regain a 2-1 lead after half-time – especially with memories of the FA Cup drama against Coventry City still so fresh – but they managed to get the job done in the end.
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A penalty plus a wonderful ranged finish from Bruno, as well as a much-needed goal for Rasmus Højlund, proved to be enough on top of Harry Maguire’s second headed goal in as many games to see them over the line – a team who were admittedly resigned to relegation months ago.
You can watch the highlights from the game HERE as well as Wheatley, Fernandes and Erik ten Hag’s post-match interviews in full down below:
Featured Images — MUTV/Manchester United (via Instagram)
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Ruben Amorim reacts as Manchester United are booed off after Malaysia friendly
Danny Jones
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has delivered a fairly brutal response after his club were booed off by supporters during a friendly in Malaysia.
The Red Devils recently embarked on a post-season tour following a calamitous 2024/25 campaign, both domestically and continentally, with that limp loss in the Europa League final, but have already resumed what has become alarmingly normal service with yet another defeat.
Finding themselves on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline against ASEAN All-Stars in Kuala Lumpur – a squad comprised of various talents from around the region who had never played together before and were only founded as an actual team back in 2014 – it was all far from clean slates and fresh starts.
In the wake of the shock result, Man United were booed off by the Malaysian and other international fans inside the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, which saw more than 70,000 in attendance.
It’s the end and that’s it. Man United got boo’ed by the fans after the final whistle.
They got beaten by non-full team Asean All-Star who just trained together as a group few days before the match. pic.twitter.com/fBxnMiZPN8
For context, the ASEAN All-Stars had only trained together for the first time just days before the game itself, but the de facto exhibition outfit still managed to break the deadlock in the 71st minute against a United side that rarely looked like scoring.
All that being said, Amorim had some choice words for his own players in his post-match duties after their first post-season tour fixture, insisting that while he always remains accountable, those out on the pitch perhaps received somewhat of a deserved reckoning too.
He began by stating, “I’m always guilty of the performance of the team, no matter what. [I have been responsible] since the first day”, but went on to argue: “The boos from the fans, I think it something that we need, maybe.”
Citing that the Old Trafford faithful and die-hard away fans have always been loyal and supportive despite frustration in the league, he suggested that “maybe they will change the way they behave” following this latest reality check.
Despite adding that he has seen reasons for optimism in performances against Man City and Liverpool, for instance, where he felt he saw “belief” and seeds of what’s to come, he’s made very few excuses for the poor displays up to now.
United face the Hong Kong national team in their next friendly on Friday, 29 May, and it’s fair to say anything less than a win would be beyond bad for the predictably unpredictable Premier League club.
You can see his full post-match press conference down below.
Featured Images — Manchester United (screenshot via YouTube)/Edward Kuruvilla (via X)
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Stockport County to introduce safe standing at Edgeley Park
Danny Jones
Stockport County will soon be introducing safe standing at Edgeley Park as part of the pending stadium development plans.
The Hatters may have just missed out on promotion to the Championship, but it’s still been an exciting few years for the club that has seen a fresh surge in young new supporters in addition to their passionate lifelong followers.
In more fantastic news for fans, County have announced that brand new safe standing sections will be installed across the ground.
Confirming the news on Wednesday, the club said: “After receiving all necessary approvals and working closely with safety authorities, we are set to install rail seating in two designated areas of the stadium.
Stockport County is thrilled to announce the introduction of safe standing areas at Edgeley Park ahead of the upcoming 2025/26 season.
Visit the club site for more details on this exciting new development ⤵️#StockportCounty
— Stockport County (@StockportCounty) May 28, 2025
As detailed on the club website, there will be two new dedicated safe-standing/rail-seated zones – one in each main stand: the back five rows of seats in the Cheadle End’s upper tier and the back two rows of the Vitality Railway End.
With Stockport Council greenlighting plans for League One side to expand their home capacity, this reconfiguration is set to accommodate a total of 849 County fans and/or supporters.
Although this all depends on final approval from the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), the aim is to deliver a “vibrant and dynamic environment for both home and away fans at Edgeley Park.”
The official statement goes on to explain that the push for safe standing is not just to provide more matchday options for those in attendance, but in hopes of further “enhancing the atmosphere and improving the overall matchday experience for those who prefer to stand.”
Couty has insisted that “The rail-seating system incorporates a barrier for every seat, ensuring that supporters are protected from a sudden surge or crowd movement.”
Safe standing is part of the larger Stockport County stadium redevelopment plans.
Addressing early concerns in a ‘What This Means for You’ section, they go on to add: “Season ticket holders currently in the affected rows will be contacted directly by the Club over the coming weeks with details on their options, including relocating to a seated area if they prefer not to stand.
“Information regarding new season tickets and matchday tickets in the safe standing areas will be released in due course.
“We believe this is another significant step forward for Stockport County and will further enhance the already incredible atmosphere at Edgeley Park. We look forward to seeing and hearing the renewed energy in these new sections.”
The safe standing plan is set to be introduced for the upcoming 2025/26 season, with the administration hoping to make this their last in the third tier. Do you see them going up next year?
Danny Jones -
25th April 2024 
