- Shea Lacey is Manchester United’s next attacking star
- Academy manager trying to sweet talk Michael Carrick
- Red Devils competition could be too much for 18-year-old
Manchester United’s academy has always produced first-team talent, with much of its success coming from attacking areas. The next on the pipeline is Shea Lacey, with the teenage prospect the latest name to break through.
The 18-year-old has already made two late Premier League cameos, showing the belief the staff have in him. In an interview with the Daily Mail, United under-21s manager Adam Lawrence claimed he will ‘try and sweet-talk’ interim manager Michael Carrick into giving Lacey more first-team opportunities.
Since Carrick’s return to Old Trafford, academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo has played a more prominent role for the Red Devils. Under Ruben Amorin, his minutes were significantly limited. There is hope that Lacey can now follow in Mainoo’s footsteps to be a first-team regular at the club.
Shea Lacey – From Academy to First-team Football
Lacey has been a United academy prospect since youth levels, and he has continued to climb the ladder, now on the cusp of a first-team spot. The exciting attacking talent is known for his tricky footwork, amazing close control and the ability to cut in and find the back of the net.
In Premier League 2, he has made nine appearances, scoring eight goals and grabbing two assists.
Lacey is returning from an injury that has kept him out for a lengthy period, but it remains to be seen what academy football lies in his path. Lawrence believes that Carrick is helping him improve, which could lead him to take the next step.
He said,
“What he’s doing with the first team at the moment is really, really good and beneficial for him. Michael (Carrick) has been really, really supportive, and he understands in terms of marquee games for the academy and the ones that he and the club feels are really, really good to be involved in.”
A big game for the Under 21s is on Tuesday as they take on Real Madrid at Old Trafford in the Premier League International Cup quarter-final, where Lacey will be hoping to have his say.
United’s Attacking Competition
United have been on a great run of form since Carrick’s arrival, which has shot them up to third in the league. Many have praised him for using Mainoo more, but are the chances for Lacey realistic?
There are still discussions surrounding the future of the Red Devils’ managerial position, with the 44-year-old still in contention for the permanent role. He will want to end the season strongly, but is it realistic to expect an 18-year-old to be the difference maker at this stage of the season?
Most of his academy minutes have come either as an attacking midfielder or on the right. Bruno Fernandes is undroppable with his form this season, as he’s in contention for the Premier League Player of the Year award.
While on the right, summer signing Bryan Mbeumo has had a more than fine debut season in Manchester, while Amad Diallo has a bright future ahead of him at just 23, and he’s still delivering strong performances.
Lacey may need to take a page out of the Ivory Coast’s internationals book, as a loan to Sunderland was the catalyst for his eventual progression into the first team.
The youngster still has plenty of years ahead of him, but his best course of action could be training with the first team and moving elsewhere to get valuable experience before returning to have the chance to be the next academy star.
