One of Manchester United’s young stars has been called up to first-team training with England after receiving help from Bruno Fernandes in pre-season.
Manchester United’s Academy is currently full of exciting young talent, with fans keeping a close watch on the progress of several standout prospects.
Much of the current buzz surrounds the newest additions to the Under-18s, 14-year-old JJ Gabriel, who has quickly become the centre of attention.
Before Gabriel’s rise, it was Shea Lacey who captured everyone’s imagination. The gifted left-footed winger impressed supporters with his flair, balance, and exceptional technique.
Now 18, Lacey made a strong impression when he featured for Rúben Amorim’s first team on the post-season tour of Asia, though an injury meant he missed out on pre-season.
Injuries have unfortunately disrupted his progress over the past two years, but he’ll be hoping this campaign marks a fresh start and a return to form.
Lacey called up to England first-team training
With United’s domestic campaign now on pause due to the international break, several of the club’s stars, such as Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško, will be embarking on their respective campaigns to play at the 2026 World Cup.
At the same time, United’s younger stars, such as Gabriele Biancheri and Lacey, are playing for international youth sides.
However, as reported and pictured, Lacey has been called up to train with England’s first-team squad at St. George’s Park ahead of their friendly match against Wales on Thursday evening, following an injury to Harry Kane.
Although Lacey is not expected to be part of the squad that plays against Wales, training with England’s big-name stars is a fantastic testament to his growing abilities and clear attacking talent.
Lacey leaving United’s senior players stunned
Lacey’s talent is undeniable, with the only question mark surrounding his fitness. If he can stay fit and maintain consistency, a first-team debut later this season would come as no surprise.
The winger has been training regularly under Amorim, and according to recent reports, Harry Maguire and several other senior players have been ‘taken aback’ by his quality.
Furthermore, it was noted that club captain Bruno Fernandes, in particular, had taken a liking to Lacey during pre-season training and had taken him under his wing, which made it all the more unfortunate that he was not selected for United’s summer tour of the United States.
Few players naturally fit Amorim’s system, but Lacey seems tailor-made for the left-sided No.10 role. He’s clearly catching the eye behind the scenes, and it would be fantastic to see an academy player break into the first-team setup this season.
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