Ethan Wheatley was back at school on Thursday - the morning after becoming the 250 thManchester United academy graduate to play for the first-team.
Wheatley, 18, came on as a 91st-minute substitute for fellow forward Rasmus Hojlund in United’s rollercoaster 4-2 win over Sheffield United at Old Trafford. But the youngster was brought back down to earth after his memorable night, in the classroom at school in Ashton-on-Mersey, where is studying for a BTEC marketing extended diploma.
United academy director Nick Cox said: “He’s been at school this morning. He never told me this, but I would suspect another motive is that it would feel pretty good walking into school having just made your Manchester United debut.
“So I think that’s probably the reason - ‘I want to go because I want to feel nice’ - and I don’t blame him. Any young person would want to feel the same.”
On Tuesday night Wheatley scored two goals to help United clinch the Premier League Under-18s cup final against local rivals Manchester City. Just 24 hours later, the Stockport-born striker was making his debut for United's first-team in front of 73,549 fans at the appropriately-named Theatre of Dreams.
Reflecting on his historic United debut, Wheatley said: “Nothing's really kicked in yet! It’s a great club with a massive history, especially in the academy as well. It’s just an honour to make my debut. And then that number 250 is just a little extra as well.”
Wheatley revealed United skipper Bruno Fernandes had a special message for him when the teenager came on for his debut. “He pulled me to the side and said ‘I've got nine minutes to try and get you a goal!’” said Wheatley.
“So I was just trying to get in that position for him and it didn't come, but hopefully soon.” United have now gone 4,254 consecutive first-team games with an academy graduate in the match-day squad, stretching back to the 1930s and taking in the Busby Babes and Class of 92.
Tom Manley became the first academy player to play for Manchester United in 1931, with Wheatley the sixth to make his debut under current United boss Erik ten Hag.
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