Man United starlet lays down marker with stunning 36-minute hat-trick for Wales

Manchester United striker Louie Bradbury has scored a 29-minute hat-trick on debut for the Wales under-17 national team during an international friendly against Gibraltar in Spain.

Bradbury, who turns 16 this month, opened the scoring in the seventh minute before doubling their advantage 11 minutes later and the United starlet added a third in the 36th minute. Everton winger Shea Pita fired in a fourth soon after half-time.

The newly-appointed Wales head coach Wayne Hatswell subsequently made several changes with the hour mark approaching, with Bradbury substituted. Southampton winger Oli Newman was one of those to come on, scoring the fifth late to make it a 5-0 win.

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After the match, Bradbury shared on social media that it was his first international hat-trick. The striker played for the Wales under-15s during the 2022/23 season, debuting a month before turning 13 and scoring twice in five appearances, both in a friendly against South Korea in Croatia. Bradbury featured 11 times for the James Rowberry-coached under-16 last season, scoring three goals and assisting another.

The teenager has now scored eight goals in ten starts for his country. Wales also face Qatar on Friday as their preparations continue for the start of their European Under-17 Championship qualification campaign in November, when they will play Italy, Norway and San Marino in Group 9 during the Round 1.

United signed Bradbury from Shrewsbury Town in February 2023, where he spent the previous six-and-a-half years after being spotted playing for