Shea Lacey makes injury return after “14 months of hell”, Manchester United fans are all saying the same thing

Manchester United starlet Shea Lacey made his return from injury on the weekend for the club’s Under-18s side.

Shea Lacey, 17, has been considered as one of the most talented players within Manchester United’s academy for several years now.

The young winger missed most of last season with an injury and after playing a handful of games earlier this term, he suffered another setback.

At the beginning of this month with a return to action on the horizon, Shea’s older brother Paddy Lacey reflected on his younger sibling’s difficult time out.

“[He’s] been through hell the past 14 months,” he posted on X. “Watch him fly now, proud of u little bro.”

The return came on Saturday, 8 February in the Under-18s clash against Liverpool, where the game ended 2-2. James Overy also made his debut for the club after spending time injured after signing in the summer.

Lacey came off the bench midway through the second half and didn’t look like he was making a return from injury.

The teenager was hugely involved for United, creating several big opportunities for them and showing his supreme confidence on the ball.

Unfortunately the Reds conceded a late equaliser in the game but the cameo from Lacey would’ve been a huge plus for the team.

United fans saying the same thing about Lacey

Lacey was on the verge of the first-team before his injury troubles, with the technical winger having trained with Erik ten Hag’s first-team squad.

Now, with the exciting talent finally back in action, many fans believe that he should be promoted to train with Ruben Amorim and his squad.

“Let him train more and more for first team and play in u21s,” one supporter wrote on X.

“Priority #1 for Shea Lacey is just staying fit. But he needs to be in first team training now – there’s not a more technically gifted player in the entire club,” another added.

A third concluded: “Staying fit is crucial for Shea Lacey, but being in first-team training is the next step. His technical ability is top-tier, and playing against younger competition won’t challenge him enough.”

Amorim has not utilised many youth players in first-team games, with Godwill Kukonki the only new talent getting time on the bench for some matches.

However, the Portuguese boss has previously expressed the importance of talented youth players spending time training in the first-team environment.

Should Lacey be able to build his fitness in the coming weeks, that could be the next step for the talented youngster.

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