Ethan Joseph Wheatley (born 20 January 2006) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Lincoln City on loan from club Manchester United. He is an England youth international.
Club career Manchester United Wheatley joined the Manchester United Academy at the age of nine and he signed a professional contract with the club in January 2024. Wheatley was included in a first-team matchday squad for the first time on 13 April 2024, for a Premier League game against AFC Bournemouth. He made his Premier League debut at the age of 18 on 24 April, against Sheffield United in a 4–2 victory, becoming the 250th academy graduate to make his debut for United's senior team.
Loan to Walsall On 25 January 2025, Wheatley joined EFL League Two club Walsall on loan for the remainder of the season.
Loan to Northampton Town On 1 August 2025, Wheatley joined EFL League One club Northampton Town on a season long loan. On 12 January 2026, Wheatley was recalled from his loan spell.
Loan to Bradford City On 2 February 2026, fellow League One club Bradford City announced Wheatley had joined the club on loan until the end of the season.
Loan to Lincoln City On 24 August 2026, Wheatley joined EFL Championship club Lincoln City on a season-long loan. He made his debut the following day in the EFL Cup second round, coming off the bench against Blackpool.
International career Wheatley has played youth international football for England at under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-20 levels.
In May 2024, he was called up to the England under-18 side. He made a goalscoring debut during a 4–2 win over Northern Ireland at St. George's Park.
On 7 September 2024, Wheatley made his England under-19 debut during a 1–1 draw away to Croatia. He was a member of England's squad at the 2025 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. During the tournament he scored goals in group stage games against Germany and Netherlands.
On 5 September 2025, Wheatley made his under-20 debut during a 2–1 defeat to Italy at the SMH Group Stadium.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupEFL CupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsManchester United U212023–24—————20202024–25—————2020Total————4040Manchester United2023–24Premier League30000000—302024–25Premier League0000100000102025–26Premier League0000———002026–27Premier League00————00Total300010000040Walsall (loan)2024–25League Two40————40Northampton Town (loan)2025–26League One2231010—10253Bradford City (loan)2025–26League One120————120Lincoln City (loan)2026–27Championship000010——10Career total41310300050503
Honours Individual Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year: 2023–24
References
External links Profile at the Manchester United F.C. website