The 'dynamite' Manchester United starlet who was so good the opposition manager wants to sign him

Ethan Ennis starred off the left wing, scoring an impressive hat-trick as a crowd of 3,663 watched on at the J Davidson Stadium. The 19-year-old opened the scoring after 16 minutes with a powerful strike, before doubling United’s lead 10 minutes later, curling a right-footed effort into the bottom corner.

He completed his hat-trick in second-half stoppage time, with a calm chip over the goalkeeper, after he was played through on goal. And Ennis, who missed 14 months of football after an anterior cruciate ligament injury in August 2022, caught the eye of the Altrincham boss Phil Parkinson.

He said: “I would love an Ethan Ennis to be coming here and showing the National League what he’s capable of. He’s a super talent, I’ve seen him for several seasons, he's had a few injury problems that I’m aware of, after a couple of seasons ago when he caught my eye originally.

“I was ever so impressed with him in that Huddersfield game, I know they lost in the end, but he was a real menace playing on the right, I've always seen him play on the left. With his turn of pace and his finishing I thought he was dynamite.”

The Runcorn-born forward joined United in August 2021 from rivals Liverpool, after scoring three goals on their run to the FA Youth Cup Final. And four months later at 17 years old, he signed his first professional contract for the Red Devils. He scored 10 goals in 19 league games for United’s U-18s in his first season before missing the second season with injury.

Ennis returned last season but managed just 304 minutes for United’s U23s, scoring one goal. He signed a two-year contract extension in the summer after playing 45 minutes in pre-season games against Rosenborg and Rangers and has been a regular starter this season, with nine goals and two assists in 12 appearances.

It’s the first time the prospect has impressed against senior opposition, scoring against Barnsley, Doncaster, and Forest Green Rovers.

Ennis is a versatile forward, playing across the front line with a variety of different finishes in his locker, as was shown against the Robins. He also displayed great skill and physicality, using the combination to win his side a free-kick in the final minutes on Tuesday night. After showing such positive signs for United’s under-23s so far this season, he is in line for a first-team call-up. But given the number of attacking options available to Amorim, a loan spell may be the next stage for Ennis’ development, which might be music to Phil Parkinson’s ears.