MANCHESTER UNITED striker Ethan Wheatley will join League One side Bradford City on loan on deadline day.
Wheatley was recalled from Northampton Town last month with a view to sending him out on loan again after a strong start to the season.
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Ethan Wheatley is set to join Bradford City on loan on deadline dayCredit: Twitter
Wheatley was recalled from loan with Northampton Town last monthCredit: Getty
The deal is yet to be formally announced on Monday, but sources have confirmed it has been completed.
The 20-year-old is swapping a relegation battle for a promotion push, leaving bottom-two strugglers Northampton to join a side vying for a place in the Championship.
There was a mix up last week when Doncaster manager Grant McCann said Bradford had signed Wheatley.
McCann was seen as announcing another club’s transfer in his press conference.
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Bradford manager Graham Alexander blasted: “That’s amazing, another manager talking about another club’s recruitment.
“When we sign players, we will tell our supporters. I never listen or read anything from opposing managers.
“I’m not one of these faux-Mourinhos that go into mind games. I concentrate on my players.”
Wheatley scored three goals in 25 appearances for Northampton this season, starting 20 games and was considered a key player in Kevin Nolan’s side.
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Ironically, the England U20’s star scored and assisted in The Cobblers’ 2-1 win over Doncaster in October.
The young striker was recalled from his stint with Northampton because United wanted to offer him another development opportunity.
He said last year: “I want to be a Man United player in the future. If that doesn’t happen, then it obviously wasn’t meant to be. We’ll just see what happens in the future.”
Wheatley’s three first team appearances for the Red Devils all occurred under Erik ten Hag at the back end of the 2023/24 season.
He debuted as a sub against Sheffield United in April 2024, becoming the 250th academy graduate to represent the club’s senior side.
The Stockport-native also featured in the FA Cup semi-final squad against Coventry before joining Walsall on loan in 2025.
A quick, tall and skilful striker, he is comfortable with either foot and is known for his sharp turns in the box.
His prolific goalscoring at the U18 and U21 levels in the 2023/24 season led to him being named the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year.
