Manchester United has a huge array of talent in the academy at this moment in time, but there is one player in particular who has been reportedly tipped to become a huge player for the club in the future.
Nick Cox and the staff at Manchester United have done an incredible job at nurturing some of the young talent at Carrington in recent years, with Harry Amass’s debut last week against Leicester City being another feather in the cap for the academy.
Chido Obi is someone who is expected to go on to succeed in the first team in the coming seasons, as well as Sekou Kone, who was signed last summer from Guidars FC in Mali.
There are others in the academy who have huge belief from the staff internally but have perhaps been unlucky with injuries in recent seasons, prompting the club to reportedly take measures to try and keep them fit, such is their belief in the players potential long-term future at the club
United see Shea Lacey as potential first-team player
Rumors circulating that Shea Lacey had suffered a new injury were denied last night in a report in the MEN, with Steven Railston suggesting the club are protecting the player and handling his return from injury with care, as opposed to a recurrence happening.
The report states that United are happy with the development of the youngster, who shares striking similarities in his play style to Manchester City’s Phil Foden, and are trying to protect his long-term future at the club, as he is considered a first-team prospect.
Lacey, who has been described as “unstoppable”, has missed portions of the season with a hamstring injury, but his quality was clear as soon as he returned to the team against Liverpool’s academy in February, featuring for the club for the first time in 14 months.
United right to protect Lacey
A familiar theme in modern football is young players perhaps being thrown in too early or not being protected from the injuries they had during their development. United are right to protect the future of Lacey, particularly after being out for such a long period.
Players like Jack Wilshere at Arsenal, Ansu Fati at Barcelona, and many more have perhaps been victims of being thrown into their clubs too early, with their bodies never truly being able to develop properly.
United have time with Lacey; he has the talent to succeed; now all that needs to happen is for his body to be nurtured correctly.
More to come at Carrington
Shea Lacey won’t be the last academy graduate in the current crop of players at Carrington with the potential to become a first-team regular. Players like Godwill Kukonki and Harry Amass, who has already featured for the first team this season, have huge chances to become part of the fabric of the senior squad.
Gabriele Biancheri is another with huge potential and is perhaps an unsung hero at the academy, particularly considering his goal-scoring record for the U18s this campaign, as well as a couple of goals for the U21s. In all competitions this season, the Welshman has 20 goal contributions in just 25 games.
It’s an exciting time to be a Manchester United fan.
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