Ten Hag vows to continue building on legacy of the Busby Babes & Class of '92

Erik ten Hag has hailed Manchester United’s proud record of producing young talent after Ethan Wheatley became the 250th academy graduate to play for the first team in Wednesday night’s win over Sheffield United at Old Trafford.

Wheatley achieved the milestone when he came on as an 89th-minute substitute for Rasmus Hojlund in United’s 4-2 win, 24 hours after helping the club’s Under-18s reach the FA Youth Cup final when he scored both goals in a 2-1 victory over Manchester City.

Wheatley, 18, was one of five academy teenagers on the bench which also included Omari Forson, Harry Amass, Louis Jackson and Habeeb Ogunneye. He is the sixth academy player to make his senior debut under Ten Hag.

United’s tradition of blooding academy talent goes back nine decades and spans 4,254 games in which a graduate has been in the match-day squad. This season, homegrown players have contributed to around 26 per cent of all first-team minutes and either scored or assisted around 60 per cent of goals.

Ten Hag, who has brought Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo into the first-team during his two years in charge, said: ‘Everyone at Manchester United should be very proud of our record of producing so many players with the quality and character to represent this incredible club. All of us at Carrington feel the responsibility to build on the legacy of the Busby Babes, the Class of ‘92 and the many others who have contributed to the club’s fantastic history.

‘Strengthening the pathway between the academy and first team has been one of my priorities as manager, and Ethan is the latest example of this process working well. The opportunity will always be open to those with the right talent and winning attitude to pull on the red shirt.’

Wheatley’s