With Ruben Amorim’s departure earlier this week, people are becoming hopeful that the club’s academy players will have their chance to shine, with one in particular already named one to watch.
Manchester United are known for its strong academy system and the talent it produces. Former manager Ruben Amorim didn’t share the same fondness for the youngsters as previous managers for the Reds.
Although Amorim’s final fixtures saw the likes of Shea Lacey, Jack Fletcher and Bendito Mantato all making their first-team debut, the manager only called upon them as a last resort, with both injuries and AFCON having a dramatic impact on the squad.
However, with the Portuguese’s departure, United are expected to revert to their old ways of utilising their academy system frequently.
Former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has already placed his bets on who he expects to be the next wonderkid to emerge from the system.
Lacey’s impact at Turf Moore
Shea Lacey made his first-team debut in December in a Premier League clash against Aston Villa, replacing Lenny Yoro in the 85th minute.
Despite his limited time on the pitch, people were impressed with Lacey, eager to see more from the youngster, with his impressive academy career encouraging for United fans; however, Amorim was dismissive of the player, not calling upon him in matches after that, even when many felt Lacey was the perfect substitution in the moment.
Lacey made sure to prove the 40-year-old wrong, making an appearance in United’s most recent fixture at Turf Moor, Darren Fletcher subbing him on to try and secure the three points in his first game as interim manager for the Reds.
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Whilst the game ended in a 2-2 draw, Lacey’s arrival onto the pitch brought life back to the game, and pundits and fans alike were impressed with his contributions.
A drive from outside the box reignited hope back into the game, and while the shot found itself hitting the crossbar, Lacey’s potential is hard to miss, once again testing Burnley’s number one, Martin Dubravka, having to guard his goal against a similar strike during added time.
Hargreaves explains why Lacey is like Foden
Hargreaves was massively impressed with the striker, comparing his style of play to Manchester City star Phil Foden.
When speaking about Lacey, Hargreaves stated, “Tell you what, he’s a player. He’s got something. I know he’s only young, and you know, he’s not the biggest, but I tell you what, he’s got courage.
“Knows exactly what he wants to do. Get onto that left foot. He reminds me a bit of Phil Foden, the way he moves, the way he dribbles. Technically, he’s a very, very good player. Scored a ton of goals in the youth team.”
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Lacey being compared to Foden isn’t a standalone moment; people have been making these comparisons since 2023, when Lacey was just 15 years old. However, people are worried that these comparisons may get into the winger’s head.
Foden’s progression from an academy star to the player he is now can be largely credited to Pep Guardiola’s influence on his development, and to ensure the same for Lacey United, they need to foster the same attitude, with a fine line between confidence and arrogance.
United is a club that has been victim to players falling on board this narrative, letting too many talents’ abilities go to waste; however, with a new manager coming United’s way, a new era for the club is approaching, Lacey’s future with the Reds is incredibly bright.
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