Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Travis Binnion smiled bigger than usual when Manchester United equalised against Everton. The Under-21s made a nightmare start to the game at Leigh Sports Village, conceding within just a minute, and Binnion shouted at Ethan Wheatley: "When Elyh has the ball, make sure he can see your feet." Those instructions preceded a goal to be proud of: Elyh Harrison played a 50-yard pass to Wheatley, who laid it off brilliantly and scored just a moment later after receiving it again. It was a proper United goal. It was moved from goalkeeper to striker with pace, moved to the wing and played into the feet of Wheatley in the box, making it almost unstoppable for Everton. Binnion turned and applauded Harrison in between the sticks. Harrison's distribution is one of his finest strengths as a goalkeeper and his passing range was an outlet for United against a physical Everton side, who started a few players who already look cut out for the demands of the men's game. Wheatley was back at United on Friday night after tasting the men's game at Walsall. The youngster joined Walsall on loan in the January window but has only made four appearances for the club. Walsall are fourth in League Two and could be promoted to the third tier of English football. Wheatley has found it difficult to get minutes in a promotion-chasing side and featured for the U21s to get a feel of the ball, something which is not uncommon for United loanees to do. It was great to see him back in a United shirt again, but it was even sweeter to see a Rochdale shirt before kick-off, with the youngsters paying tribute to academy graduate Joe Thompson. Thompson bravely fought cancer three times and passed away at the age of 36 last week. His Rochdale shirt was lifted by the players, a minute's applause was held and black armbands were worn. Everton faded after a bright start and United gained control after equalising, but Braiden Graham is on the cusp of the first-team and Goodison Park and he provided another assist for his side. Graham combined with Martin Sherif for the opening goal of the game and the pair linked up again to score from a corner, which meant United went into half-time trailing. Although that was after the linesmen went down with an injury and the tannoy asked if anyone in the crowd was a qualified referee. Thankfully, the second half got under way after a fourth official fiasco, and Wheatley confirmed there is a striker on the books at United who can actually score when he netted his second. Wheatley snuffed out the chance himself. He pounced on a sloppy touch in the penalty area and ruthlessly finished into the top right corner, something which United's senior strikers have struggled to do. Some will suggest Wheatley is not good enough for the first-team at Old Trafford because his Walsall loan hasn't gone to plan, but United are adamant there is no such thing as a 'bad loan'. (Image: 2025 Manchester United FC) The time away from Carrington would have benefited Wheatley, whether it be teaching him which aspects of his game must be improved or showing him what it means to earn a starting role. Wheatley will be assessed in pre-season by Ruben Amorim and might be able to play a role in the senior squad next season. Rasmus Hojlund has regressed and United are set to sign a new striker. However, he will be hopeful he can prove himself worthy of first-team minutes in 2025/2026. Wheatley couldn't have done much more to impress upon his return to U21 football and he was substituted shortly after Tyler Fletcher fired United into a 3-2 lead in the 72nd minute. He won't be available for United for the remainder of the season, though. His registration with Walsall runs until the end of the season and he's only allowed to feature in academy fixtures. Fletcher has probably gone under the radar this season and deserves his flowers. It was his goal that took the game away from Everton, and Sekou Kone's pass was exceptional to find him. It was therefore fitting that the industrious Kone scored the fourth goal of the game, which ensured that United progressed to the quarter-finals of the Premier League 2 play-off. The league was revamped last season and Binnion has the talent at his disposal to lift the trophy.