Manchester United ‘loan manager’ Jonny Evans has been extremely busy this summer and now he’s just completed another young players loan exit.
Manchester United have already sent several young players out on loan moves this summer, with the ambition of helping with their development.
The club will hope that after Jason Wilcox appointed Jonny Evans as the ‘loan manager’, these loans will be more successful than previous years showed.
Enzo Kana-Biyik was sent to Lausanne on loan immediately after joining United on a free transfer following his Le Havre contract’s expiry.
Another young striker headed on loan as well, with United loaning Joe Hugill to Barnet, where he has been compared with Jamie Vardy.
It isn’t just young attackers who have been loaned, with Marcus Rashford joining Barcelona for the 2025/26 campaign after his public falling out at Old Trafford.
Now, United have loaned out yet another forward player.
Ethan Wheatley joins Northampton Town on loan
United are clearing out the academy ranks this summer with loan moves, and the striker department in particular has been active. Kana-Biyik, Hugill and now Ethan Wheatley have all made loan exits this summer, leaving Chido Obi and Gabriele Biancheri as the two U21 strikers who could feature for Travis Binnion’s side.
Wheatley’s loan move was confirmed on Friday, with Northampton taking to X announcing the move, saying they are ‘delighted’ to have the 19-year-old.
Wheatley’s career has been at a crossroads, having been leapfrogged by Obi and possible Biancheri. This made it key that Evans got Wheatley’s next loan correct
This will be the second loan for United’s 250th academy graduate and he will want things to go a lot better this time around. Wheatley struggled at Walsall and ended up making just four appearances and didn’t score.
But despite this, Northampton in League One is a step up for the striker compared to last season and so he will be very excited.
Kevin Nolan delighted to sign Wheatley from Manchester United
Speaking with Northampton club media after the announcement, manager Kevin Nolan revealed how excited he was to have signed Wheatley from United on loan.
“We are delighted to get Ethan’s signing over the line,” said manager Kevin Nolan.
“We have been speaking to Manchester United, Ethan, his Dad and his agent over the last few weeks to make sure everything is right and everyone is happy.
“He has played in the Premier League for Manchester United at the age of 18 and you don’t do that without having a lot of ability. I have seen enough of him to know what he is all about, what his attributes are and to believe that he can come in and be a good addition for us.
“He is tall, strong, powerful and quick and a really good athlete. We believe he fits in with what we are trying to do, how we want to play and what we need from our strikers. With his qualities and what he brings, we believe that he can be a good addition to what is already a sound squad.
“After a loan spell at Walsall last season, he had a really strong summer with England at the Euros and I have been impressed with how eager he was to come here, and how keen he is to work hard and to get going for us.
“We thank Manchester United for trusting us with Ethan. That is a real testament to the club, and our reputation for helping and developing young players. He is an important player for Manchester United and we understand, the stage Ethan is at and the progress he is making, that is an important loan for him and they have considered carefully where to send him.
“We are looking forward to working with him, to helping develop him and hopefully this loan benefits all parties involved.”
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
