Official: Man Utd announce surprise January transfer agreement

Manchester United have officially recalled academy striker Ethan Wheatley from his loan spell at League One side Northampton Town.

The 19-year-old completed a season-long loan move to Kevin Nolan’s side on 1 August and he has scored three goals and provided four assists in 25 appearances for the club so far this season.

However, Man Utd have confirmed their decision to recall Wheatley following an injury he sustained against Huddersfield Town in late December.

It has been reported that several English Football League clubs are interested in signing Wheatley on loan this month, with the England U20 international potentially set to leave Old Trafford again on a temporary deal before the end of the winter transfer window.

Ethan Wheatley returns to Man Utd

In an official statement posted on the Northampton website, Wheatley said: “I have loved my time at Northampton Town. I’m very grateful to the manager and the staff who put their trust in me and helped me every single day, both on and off the pitch.

“I’d also like to thank the supporters for their backing home and away who have been superb this season. It has also been a pleasure sharing the dressing room with a great group of lads and I wish the club and everyone connected with it all the very best for the future.”

Meanwhile, Northampton boss Nolan added: “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.

“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.

“With Elliott [Moore] joining and new contracts for Kyle [Edwards] and Ross [Fitzsimons] we have already strengthened this window, and with Ethan returning [to Man Utd] that opens another place in the squad.”

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