Ethan Ennis hitting form with four goals in his last two academy games

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Manchester United won the race to sign Ethan Ennis back in the summer, with the teenager making the bold call to quit Liverpool.

Ennis had already shone for Liverpool’s under-18s in last season’s FA Youth Cup, grabbing a hat-trick, and the Merseysiders wanted to keep him.

After making the move, Ennis has had a steady yet fairly low-key first season at United, which is now igniting.

4 goals in 2 games

Ennis is hitting form and showing some real encouraging signs. Turning 17 in December, he is still among the junior members of the under-18s.

Over the past two games, Ennis has found his goalscoring touch. Funnily enough, this came against his former side Liverpool.

The young winger grabbed a brace in the dramatic 5-5 draw against Liverpool last week, before following it with another two goals in United’s 4-1 win over Leeds this past Saturday.

Ennis is a throwback to an old fashioned winger who is direct, likes to take players on and run towards goal. His pace and finishing ability make him a danger in the final third.

All four of Ennis’ goals have come from open play, showing a deft touch in front of goal and linking up well with striker Joe Hugill.

Prior to this, Ennis had just one goal this season, in a draw with Derby, and an assist against Burnley.

His numbers look pretty decent in all, five goals and one assist in 12 games, a goal contribution every other appearance.

Part of the issue for Ennis has been that he has not played all that frequently, just nine league matches out of a possible 14.

United have numerous options in the academy and Ennis has often played second fiddle to the more advanced Alejandro Garnacho.

This has meant Ennis has not started any of United’s FA Youth Cup games on the run to the final, featuring as a substitute just twice.

At the weekend Garnacho was with the under-23 squad, and as others also step up, Ennis will play a more prominent role in 2022/23. Don’t forget last season Garnacho bagged ‘only’ seven goals – Ennis is not far off that, and will hope to further kick on next season.

His recent form provides some hope United signed a gem last summer, who Liverpool will go on to regret losing.