"Strengthening the pathway between the academy and the first team was one of my priorities when I came to the club, working together with Darren Fletcher as the connector and (academy director) Nick Cox and his staff to develop a shared game model, with consistent training methods and playing styles," Ten Hag wrote in his match programme notes.
"We are seeing the results of that this season, with Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo becoming important parts of the first team, and several others competing to join them.
"A top club can never succeed with homegrown players alone, but they will always be an important part of Manchester United.
"Ethan (Wheatley) can be proud to become the latest part of that story and others who show the right talent and winning attitude can follow him."