One Manchester United starlet seemingly believes that he’s ready for first-team football despite reports suggesting that might not be the plan next season right now.
Manchester United’s pre-season is in full swing as the Reds look to recover from a disappointing 2024/25 campaign.
Ruben Amorim’s squad returned to Carrington earlier this month and will begin their preparations with a friendly against Leeds in Sweden this weekend.
Following that, the team will travel to the United States for three fixtures before returning to Old Trafford for one final warm-up match ahead of their Premier League opener against Arsenal.
Meanwhile, the club is also evaluating summer plans for a number of Academy players, with several already having gone out on loan.
United starlet thinks he’s ready for first-team football
According to the latest reports, Amorim and United are planning to keep Shea Lacey at the club next season rather than sending him out on loan.
But it has been explained that the plan for the talented youngster is to play more games in the Under-21s after spending much of the last year out with injuries.
Despite this, it has been claimed by Shea’s older brother, Paddy Lacey, that the teenage starlet believes that he is ready to push for first-team football at Old Trafford next term.
“Shea seems to think he is [ready for the first team]. When he has trained, he has said that he’s doing well, so he seems confident of forcing a way in at some point,” Paddy told GOAL.
“He’s waited, he’s been there since he was four and a half and he’s finally started getting close to the first team. Seeing him on the pitch with those people, it was kind of surreal for us because he’s been there so long.
“It’s starting to happen for him now. He had a couple of bad injuries as he was growing, as some kids tend to do, but now he’s starting to get a real taste for it. He’s very eager, let me tell you.
“Fingers crossed he stays fit and he just makes it work, breaks his way into the first team. I think he can add something, he’s a fantastic sub.
“When he’s ready to be able to be a starter for Man United, all the family will be there watching it, I think there’ll be a lot of half and half Liverpool and Man United fans when Shea plays for the first team – as all our family will be willing him on.”
Lacey can change Amorim’s mind
While the plan right now might be for Lacey to get more minutes at Under-21s level next term, he has the opportunity to change Amorim’s mind.
Lacey has not been chosen to play in the clash against Leeds on the weekend but could could convince the United boss to take him on the pre-season tour if he impresses behind the scenes.
He will undoubtably need some extra minutes in the Under-21s but there is no reason why he cannot push for involvement in the first-team during the campaign.
There are not many talents in the youth sides who seem to fit those duel no.10 roles but Lacey is definitely one of them. His ability on the ball means that he can excel in those pockets.
After some difficulties with injuries, the talented attacker looks like he wants to push forward this season.
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