Manchester United have struck an agreement with a Championship club over one of their strikers, despite Fabrizio Romano’s unexpected earlier claims involving Everton.

The centre-forward position still requires attention at Man Utd, with Matheus Cunha appearing completely out of sorts when he filled in there on Saturday.

Benjamin Sesko is United’s high-value main striker, but since Michael Carrick took charge earlier in 2026, he has not always been trusted with a place in the starting XI.

Joshua Zirkzee is barely getting any game time, and if United are able to find a buyer for the Dutch forward, they are expected to bring in an experienced striker to compete with Sesko before the summer transfer window closes.

Another central striker on the Red Devils’ books is Ethan Wheatley, although he is not expected to stay at Old Trafford for much longer.

On August 1, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported the surprising development that Everton were considering a ‘formal approach’ for the 20-year-old.

He said: ‘EXCL: Everton are interested in Man United talented striker Ethan Wheatley.

‘#EFC preparing a proposal to make formal approach with Man United soon for the 20 year old forward.’

Everton’s interest came as a surprise because Wheatley is not yet at Premier League level at this point in his career, something reflected in his very limited goal return during loan spells with lower-division clubs.

Across spells with Walsall in League Two, and Northampton Town and Bradford City in League One, Wheatley managed only three goals in 40 appearances in total.

During his latest loan stint at Bradford, Wheatley failed to score in 11 matches.

In any event, Wheatley is not moving to Merseyside, with journalist Pete O’Rourke revealing that Man Utd will instead send the player on loan to Championship newcomers Lincoln City.

O’Rourke said: ‘Understand Manchester United forward Ethan Wheatley has agreed a move to Lincoln City.

‘A number of clubs were chasing Wheatley, but Lincoln have won for striker’s signature.’

Ben Jacobs later backed up O’Rourke’s report and confirmed that Wheatley’s move will be a loan rather than a permanent transfer.

Jacobs said: ‘Ethan Wheatley set to join Lincoln City on a season-long loan, as @SportsPeteO called.

‘Agreement in place between Lincoln and Manchester United.’

Wheatley remains under contract at Man Utd until the summer of 2028, and the Red Devils also hold an option to extend it by a further year.

By the time his spell at Lincoln comes to an end, the striker will be 21 years and six months old. Once he returns from the loan, Manchester United will need to decide whether they believe Wheatley can eventually make the grade at Old Trafford, or whether the time has come to separate permanently.