Habeeb Ogunneye, a Manchester United right-back prospect, missed a chance to make his first-team debut in a 4-2 win against Sheffield United. Although he was on the bench, Ethan Wheatley earned the honor of being United's 250th academy player to play for the first team.
England youth international of Nigerian descent, Habeeb Ogunneye, missed out on achieving a significant milestone during Manchester United's 4-2 victory over Sheffield United at Old Trafford. Although he was named in the squad for the seventh time this season, the young defender remained an unused substitute during the match.
Ogunneye was on the verge of becoming the 250th Manchester United academy player to debut for the first team, but that distinction went to 18-year-old forward Ethan Wheatley, who was substituted in during the final moments of the game. Had Ogunneye been brought on, he would have been the 103rd academy player to make their first-team debut as a substitute.
The London-born defender has been named as a substitute in several Premier League matches this season, including fixtures against Manchester City, Everton, Liverpool, Bournemouth, and Sheffield United. He also appeared on the bench for FA Cup matches against Nottingham Forest and Coventry City. A day before the Sheffield United match, Ogunneye played the entire second half as Manchester United's U18 team defeated Manchester City to win the U18 Premier League Cup.
Shola Shoretire, another player of Nigerian descent, is among the 250 academy graduates who have made their first-team debuts for Manchester United. Although Ogunneye did not achieve this milestone, his consistent presence in the first-team squad indicates that his debut might not be far off.
