Manchester United made hard work of a win over Sheffield United on Wednesday night but did just about enough to get over the line.
You could probably write that exact sentence about so many United wins this season and just change the name of the opponents.
United fell behind to the Premier League’s bottom club before Harry Maguire levelled it up against his former side.
The Blades remarkably went back in front before Bruno Fernandes took over the game.
Fernandes equalised from the penalty spot, then put United ahead and even set up Rasmus Hojlund to make it 4-2.
Erik ten Hag will be delighted with three points but it was another night where United flirted with the idea of a defeat.
United ended up easing home in the end and there was even a first-team debut for one top prospect…
Ethan Wheatley makes Manchester United debut
Striker Ethan Wheatley came on for the final stages of the game, replacing Hojlund in injury time.
The 18-year-old hails from Stockport – just like Kobbie Mainoo – and been coming up in the United ranks.
Wheatley has split his time between Under-18 Premier League and Premier League 2 action this season.
Eight goals in seven Under-18 Premier League games just goes to show Wheatley’s quality and a first-team debut was just a matter of time.
The England Under-17 international will now be hoping that this was just the first of many appearances for United.
Having seen Mainoo make the step up look seamless this season, Wheatley at least has somebody to try and mirror as he seeks to establish himself around Ten Hag’s squad.
Rio Ferdinand reacts
Wheatley made history with his debut too.
The teenager’s appearance of the bench made him the 250th academy player to appear in the United first team.
Wheatley joins so many big names in the list of United academy graduates and Rio Ferdinand has now offered his reaction.
Ferdinand simply tweeted ‘love to see it’, applauding Wheatley and United after his debut on Wednesday night.
Ferdinand still holds United close to his heart and will always love to see top talents like Wheatley breaking through at Old Trafford.
The former defender saw so many talents emerge during his time as a player at Old Trafford.
Some made it, some faded away and Wheatley will be looking to be in the former category rather than the latter.
Becoming a regular first-team starter like Marcus Rashford is far from easy, but Wheatley has now taken his first step on that journey and deserves the praise and congratulations coming his way.