Manchester United’s Ethan Wheatley put rivals Liverpool to the sword on Saturday with a scintillating hat-trick.
United sealed the three points with a 1-9 victory over Liverpool at their AXA Training Centre.
The 18-year-old was a key figure in the dominant display not just with his three goals but also his all-around display.
Starting things off with his relentless pressing, Wheatley almost forced two errors from the Liverpool keeper early on when he blocked one clearance and narrowly missed another but luck wasn’t with him on those occasions.
It didn’t take long for the hard work to pay off though as United’s press led by Wheatley forced the turnover in the 12th minute leading to the striker’s first goal of the match.
Questioned at times for his erratic finishing, Wheatley responded under big pressure with clinical composure to take his three goals and set Adam Lawrence’s team on their way to the u18s Premier League North title.
With Manchester City breathing down United’s necks at the top of the table, the win could prove vital and was especially important against rivals Liverpool.
But it wasn’t an easy one for Wheatley to step out onto the pitch with such composure after the controversy surrounding the two club’s last meeting. Despite scoring a goal in the reverse fixture as well, Wheatley would have left with a headache after taking two blows to the head from a Liverpool defender.
Wheatley kept his cool though in both fixtures, preferring to do his striking with the ball.
A variety of finishes this time out, Wheatley smashed his second goal past the keeper after a solo run before later adding his third which involved sitting down the opposition keeper and defender before rolling the ball in with style.
An improvement in his finishing could be the marker that really takes the England u17s international to the next level as a player who has always provided a threat but has let himself down at the end of moves too often.
Only recently turning 18, Wheatley is still filling out a large frame which can see him tower above the opposition defenders but it is only recently that he has started to flex his physical prowess with an ever-improving hold-up game.
Coming through the ranks as a wiry tall forward, it is actually Wheatley’s impressive dribbling and quick movement that have left the biggest impact in recent years.
But with the ever-improving physical side and potentially finding his killer instinct in front of goal, Wheatley could be yet another name to break through from Manchester United’s famed academy in the following years as he continues to progress week after week.
An impressive 18 goals already this season in all competitions, Wheatley has recently begun to step up to the u21s level where he has scored and provided an assist in his last two appearances for Travis Binnion’s side.
With United’s lack of options to lead the line in the first team, this 18-year-old may yet be the perfect option for Erik ten Hag to employ a pressing front line.
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