Man United star who made Marcus Rashford storm off in training struggles on loan

After impressing in the academy, Wheatley was one of several youngsters that joined first-team training back in October 2024 as Erik ten Hag prepared his side for their upcoming Europa League clash against Fenerbahce.

And the young forward - then 18 - certainly made his impact known. During a training drill Wheatley received a pass with Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee applying pressure, before tidily playing the ball through the former's legs.

Stunned at the nutmegging, Rashford opted to temporarily leave the drill with his head in his hands. The camera-caught moment displayed the team spirit within United as a smiling Rashford quickly joined his team-mates to laugh about the incident.

Wheatley has since been sent on loan three times in the last two seasons after struggling to make an impact on the first-team at United. He first left the club for League Two side Walsall in January 2025 but played just four games, scoring no goals.

Last August, he joined League One outfit Northampton Town on a season-long loan and had been a regular for the club with three goals in 25 games across all competitions. However, he was recalled from his loan by United in January who then sent him to fellow third-tier side Bradford City for the rest of the season.

Following his recall, Northampton manager Kevin Nolan said Wheatley had made lots of progress during his spell at the club and shared his disappointment at the forward's departure. "We are disappointed Ethan has been recalled but we are proud of the work we have done with him and believe he leaves us a far better player than he arrived," Nolan said.

"Because of his injury picked up at Huddersfield in December, we were planning to be without him for a period anyway, but we thank Manchester United for loaning Ethan to us and wish him well for his future career.

"I know he enjoyed himself here, I know his family were appreciative of how we looked after him, and I know Manchester United were pleased with how the loan went."

His fortunes with the Bantams have been less than fruitful as he remains goalless in 11 league games.

Speaking to The Yorkshire Post at the beginning of March about Wheatley's goal drought, Bradford City's Antoni Sarcevic said: "Ethan’s a young lad who is finding his feet in the EFL.

"I still think Ethan is doing brilliantly for us. I know he’ll pride himself on goals but I think what he gives to us is really good. The goals will come if he keeps going."

Rashford is also spending the season out on loan, of course, wit the forward now having less than three months left on his temporary stint with Barcelona.

The winger has enjoyed a return to form with the Catalan giants with 10 goals and 13 assists in 39 games with the reigning La Liga champions in the driving seat to retain their title. Finding his confidence and productivity once again has also led Rashford to an England return as he looks likely to head to his third World Cup this summer.

Set for a Manchester reunion at the end of the season unless Barcelona pay his £26million buy option, Rashford has previously made clear his desire to remain in Spain long-term.