Why history-making Manchester United youngster is not playing for his loan side

Walsall head coach Mat Sadler has seen improvements from Ethan Wheatley on the training ground recently amid his lack of appearances since arriving from Manchester United.

The striker joined the League Two leaders on loan for the remainder of the season last month, offering him the opportunity to experience regular first-team football for the very first time in his career.

However, the 19-year-old, who made history when he became United's 250th academy graduate to debut for the first-team last season, has played just three times for the Saddlers and has been left out each of their last three matchday squads, last appearing when they drew 2-2 with Salford City on February 1.

Sadler has plenty of options available to him as his team maintains its search for automatic promotion this season, meaning some members of their January intake have struggled for minutes recently. But following Saturday's 3-1 win over Chesterfield, Sadler hinted that a fresh opportunity for Wheatley might not be too far away, suggesting his performance levels in training have been on the rise.

"Josh [Gordon] looks like he might be out for a little bit," Sadler told the media. "Ethan, of course, we're going to need all of them.

"What I will say about Ethan, since he hasn't been in the squad, he has trained so, so well and put himself in consideration to be on the pitch."

Prior to his recent exile from the squad on matchdays, the United youngster had made three appearances for the League Two outfit, two of which had been as a starter. He has stored 152 minutes under his belt since arriving at the club.

Wheatley had appeared once for United so far this season prior to last month's loan exit, stepping off the bench in the closing stages of the 5-2