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.
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.”
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.
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)
Sport
Streamer AngryGinge ‘arrested and banned’ from Silvestone at the British GP
Danny Jones
Popular Manc influencer, ‘AngryGinge’, was arrested, fined and ultimately banned from Silverstone at this year’s British GP.
The Salford-born Twitch streamer, YouTuber and social media personality (real name Morgan Burtwhistle) was detained at the circuit after being arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
Ginge recently starred in Soccer Aid 2025 and is a well-known face both on the internet and in the sporting world, regularly working in and around football, and is an avid Manchester United – even featuring in the club’s third kit launch video last year.
The 23-year-old and two other fellow streamers, ‘Chazza’ and ‘Samham’, were accused of criminal damage after sitting in an F1 car whilst recording around the Silverstone complex.
AngryGinge returned to streaming after being detained by police for 15 hours
The streamer and several friends were arrested for climbing into a display F1 car at the British Grand Prix pic.twitter.com/WDSYb6MVtj
“On Friday, July 4, NP received a report that a classic Formula 1 car on display at Silverstone Circuit during the British Grand Prix event had sustained several thousands of pounds worth of damage, which was alleged to have been caused by someone accessing the display stand and climbing into the vehicle.
“Officers carried out initial inquiries, and suspects were identified. Three men, aged 23, 25 and 27, were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a vehicle and taken into police custody.
“Following a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the incident, all three men were released with no further action.”
Burtwhistle went into more detail on the incident on socials, explaining that the trio were taken away in handcuffs and “locked up” for several hours – 15 hours, according to SamHam (Samuel Imie).
All three individuals deny causing any damage to the racecar, even despite users sharing clips from the livestream footage captured for the Red Bull online Content on the day that many argue incriminates them, or at least sounds like it – we’ll let you watch and decide for yourselves.
Ginge himself went on to detail that ridculousness of the situation, explaining how he was effectively detained for watching someone else climb into the vehicle.
He’ll be dining out in this one for some time, you can be sure of that.
He’s literally a brands dream isn’t he 😂 so quick and smart with it
Featured Images — Soccer Aid/angryginge13 (screenshot via Twitch)/Samham (via X)
Sport
Boxing legend Ricky Hatton is coming out of retirement after more than a decade
Danny Jones
Mancunian and British boxing legend Ricky Hatton MBE is coming out of retirement after more than a decade for his first competitive fight in 13 long years.
This is sure to be one to watch.
The Stockport-born and Hattersley-raised fighter first retired back in 2011, but did flirt with a comeback a year later in what turned out to be a one-off fight and defeat to 35-year-old Ukrainian welterweight, Vyacheslav Senchenko.
‘Hitman’ Hatton also got back in the ring for an exhibition match against Marco Antonio Barrera in 2022, enduring eight two-minute rounds after a decade away from fighting, but now he’ll be undertaking an official fight over in the United Arab Emirates.
Lacing up his gloves at 46 years old, Hatton will be facing fellow veteran Eisa Al Dah (same age), who was the first professional boxer in the UAE.
The ‘Pride of Hyde’ may have been out of the competitive sporting sphere for a while, but he’s still remained an active figure in the boxing world.
In addition to training his son, Campbell, who has followed in his father’s fighting footsteps, Hatton has continued to coach other young boxing talents from his gym in Tameside, including John Hedges and Chloe Watson.
Campbell, 24, has won 14 of his 16 fights, losing just twice since he began in 2021.
Meanwhile, his dad – who still boasts a record of 45 victories from 48 matches, 32 of which were by knockout – will be once again focusing on getting himself back in fighting shape for the Dubai bout.
The local athlete has done plenty to dispel the old jabs of ‘Ricky Fatton’ in recent times, mind you, having taken his talents as a once-promising young footballer to play in the Manchester Remembers charity match, as well as the aforementioned Barrera exhibition.
Set for this winter, Ricky Hatton will face fellow veteran Eisa Al Dah in a middleweight contest on Friday, 2 December, telling national media via video call in the recent press conference that confirmed he would be coming out of retirement: “What you’re trying to do there for boxing in Dubai is fantastic.”
Meanwhile, Al Dah added: “It will be a true fight, true action. And I will do my best, because everybody in the UAE and the Gulf, they will watch this fight. The place will be sold out, and it will be watched around the world.”
Will those Haymakers still hit like they used to? Well shall see before the end of the year.
Danny Jones -
25th April 2024 
