Manchester United have included 18-year-old rookie Ethan Wheatley in their squad to face AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Red Devils travel to the Vitality Stadium looking for revenge after suffering a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Andoni Iraola’s side in December’s reverse fixture.
United have decided to put teenage striker Wheatley, 18, on the bench for the clash on the south coat with Erik ten Hag short of options in attack.
Wheatley, a regular in United’s U21 and U18 sides, scored a hat-trick against Liverpool U18s earlier this month and signed a professional deal in January.
His impressive performances in the youth ranks at Old Trafford has seen him earn international recognition with a call-up to England U17s – and he will now be hoping to earn some first-team minutes for United.
Ten Hag is expecting another tough game against the Cherries, who are looking to complete a league double over United for the first time ever.
‘We were mentally not ready for that [Bournemouth 3-0 in December] game,’ Ten Hag said in his press conference ahead of the match.
‘They battled us and we lost the battles. Tomorrow will not be different, that is the way they want to play.
‘They want to fight with you. So you go into that fight, have the conviction, the belief and you need to support each other to win battles, to outplay them, outrun them and defending to match the runs.’
Meanwhile, United captain Bruno Fernandes apologised to United fans after the 3-0 loss to Bournemouth in December.
‘The performance we did today was not acceptable,’ Fernandes said.
‘Everyone agrees in the dressing room that our performance was not at our level and we have to perform much better.
‘We underperformed quality-wise and effort-wise. Against a team like Bournemouth, really tough to play against, they go really strong, they press with good intentions, it’s tough if you don’t do your job, you’re not going to win the game.’
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