Manchester United striker Ethan Wheatley has joined League Two leaders Walsall on loan for the remainder of the season.

The 19-year-old became the 250th academy graduate to debut for United's first-team last season, stepping off the bench in the 4-2 win over Sheffield United at Old Trafford last April.

He has since made three further substitute appearances for the Reds, including one earlier this season when he featured in the closing stages of United's 5-2 win over Leicester City in the fourth round of the League Cup under former caretaker boss Ruud van Nistelrooy.

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His temporary switch to the Bescot Stadium marks his first loan move of his career, meaning he will get the opportunity to earn regular first-team football for the very first time.

"It is my first loan so I am very excited to get going," Wheatley told Walsall's club website. "The club is currently top of the league so I am coming into a winning environment and I am looking forward to that and hopefully we can kick on for the rest of the season and I can help the team to do good things.

"I had interest from other places but they didn't have as many games left in the season and a big thing for me is earning game time and trying to play as much as possible in the men's game and hopefully I can do that and stamp my mark and impress.

"Manchester United set us up for work experience loans previously where we would go to different clubs for a week at a time so I have had a fair few experiences of being round a first team environment now so I am looking forward to settling into this one and hopefully doing well."

Walsall had been on the hunt for a striker after leading goalscorer Nathan Lowe was recalled by Stoke City earlier this month. Lowe had scored 18 goals in 30 appearances for the League Two table-toppers.

Wheatley is available to make his debut for the Saddlers when they face Bradford City at Valley Parade on Saturday lunchtime.