Man Utd boss Ten Hag: More will follow Wheatley from U18s

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag says there's more to follow Ethan Wheatley from their U18 team.

Wheatley made his debut in victory over Sheffield United.

Ten Hag told manutd.com: "I know there's many more but it's definitely that we want to be a club with young players, they bring in a culture and a playing culture because you can follow them from a young age, and so they play a huge part in a selection like ours.

"It's in the DNA of Manchester United. The Academy has always played a big role. I think about the Busby Babes, I think about the Class of '92 and now, typically, it is the 250th graduate to make a debut, which is great. We work long for this. It was one of the areas, one of the targets when I entered Manchester United. Togetherness with Darren Fletcher and togetherness with Nick Cox, and with Travis [Binnion], we have to work on a pathway that is possible.

"We worked on a way of play and we worked on similar training methods and playing style to give those players a pathway to come through. But, at the end of the day, the player has to deserve it and we are very happy that players like Garnacho and Mainoo, they made it.

"That, I think, is a very good example and it will absolutely be an inspiration for all the Academy players that they now see. It is possible to be part of the first team of Manchester United and to be part of it, for longer term for this club, and that can help us because it will motivate everyone and it gives a good base to be successful again. Next to other areas, like recruitment."