3 goals in 2nd half: United wonderkid sends message to Erik ten Hag with dazzling performance | OneFootball

Manchester United graduate Ethan Wheatley delivered a superb performance during the 5-3 Premier League 2 win over Norwich City on Friday night.

The 18-year-old is regarded as one of the best upcoming talents in the academy and he was brilliant yesterday after coming off the bench at half-time.

The youngster put the United Under-21s ahead in the 49th minute (2-1) before bagging another in the 71st minute to make it 4-1 in the club’s favour.

Norwich reduced the deficit to one goal in stoppage time (4-3), but Wheatley put the result beyond doubt with his third goal of the night in the 100th minute.

It was a sublime second-half hat-trick from Wheatley and it should send a good message to manager Erik ten Hag that he is prepared to make the step up to the first team.

Wheatley played just 13 minutes of regular time for United in his debut season last term and he has been an unused substitute in three games this campaign.

The youngster is unlikely to break into the starting XI with fierce competition from Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund, but he could have a good future ahead.

Wheatley is blessed with superb finishing skills and needs to capitalise on any opportunities offered off the bench by the manager over the next few months.

United take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday. Wheatley could feature among the substitutes after his sublime second-half display last night.

The league game appears a must-win for United, considering they are already four points behind the top four and can’t afford to slip up further after just six matches.

Stats from Sofascore.com