MANCHESTER — Manchester United confirmed two late loan departures Monday, sending academy prospects Ethan Wheatley and James Scanlon out for the remainder of the season.
Ethan Wheatley: The striker moves to League One’s Bradford City. Wheatley returns to the third tier after a productive first half of the season with Northampton Town, where he tallied three goals and three assists.
James Scanlon: The 19-year-old midfielder joins Swindon Town in League Two. This marks the first professional loan for the Gibraltar international, who already holds 20 senior caps and is his country’s youngest-ever goalscorer.
The deals were finalized just before the winter window closed, with Scanlon’s move confirmed only seconds before the 7 p.m. deadline. Both players seek regular first-team football as United continues its policy of blooding youth in the EFL.
“Best of luck to James for the rest of the season,” the club said in a brief statement.