Manchester United’s talented youngster, Shea Lacey, continues to impress for the Reds’ U21 side as he knocks on the door of the first team.
Manchester United have always been well-renowned for their talented academy, as well as their ability to provide youngsters with a pathway into the first team picture.
This has continued to be the way of the Reds in recent years, with Ruben Amorim often turning to the club’s academy prospects last season during United’s injury crisis.
Since the arrival of Michael Carrick, minutes have been limited for United’s talented teenagers, with Ayden Heaven, Leny Yoro, and Shea Lacey playing a combined two minutes across three games.
As for Lacey, the 18-year-old attacker has yet to feature under Carrick despite being included in the recent squad against Fulham, although given his recent performances for the U21’s, he may be knocking on the door for minutes.
Lacey’s impressive performance
On Monday night, Lacey featured for United’s U21 side, where he managed to score an impressive hat-trick to help send the Reds up to the top of the Premier League 2 table.
The young winger has been firing on all cylinders for the Reds’ academy, and has scored six of his side’s last eight goals across three matches.
It looked as if Lacey was going to continue to cement a spot in the first team, although, since his red card against Brighton in the FA Cup, he has only made the bench once.
Hopefully, once Carrick has settled in, he will turn to his Academy some more, although given the Reds’ recent run of form, it is understandable that he doesn’t want to make any drastic changes.
But, with six goals in his last three games for the U21s, Lacey’s brilliant form could force Carrick into giving him further first-team minutes as the campaign wears on.
Lacey’s tough competition
Despite the obvious talent that Lacey possesses, he unfortunately faces tough competition in his bid to enter the first team picture.
The right-wing spot in United’s side is already one of, if not the most highly contested position on the pitch, which may leave Lacey struggling for game time.
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The absence of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad during the Africa Cup of Nations allowed the Englishman to showcase his ability, although, since their return, he has had to return to the U21s.
Hopefully, if United secure a place in European football for the next campaign, Lacey will have plenty more chances to impress for the first team, and if not, he may be ready for a suitable loan move.
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