Pre-season is just days away for Manchester United and for one academy talent it could be his time to break out.
It will be the next two weeks that decide the fate of several academy players for the 2025-26 season, with a handful expected to be on Ruben Amorim’s mind.
JJ Gabriel has been handed a first-team squad number, which suggests he may be handed a call into training at some point.
In addition, Manchester United’s post-season tour of Asia pushed a number of academy players to the forefront, with statement displays that cannot be ignored.
Chido Obi scored a brace for United on this tour which should place him ahead of Rasmus Hojlund in the pecking order this summer as the Dane is up for sale.
However, Obi isn’t alone with another wonderkid also staking his claim and catching Amorim’s eye on the tour to Asia.
Shea Lacey in action for Manchester United, running away from camera.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Shea Lacey grabbed Manchester United opportunity with both hands
When fit and firing, there are few footballers at Manchester United with more talent than Shea Lacey.
Often tipped as the next big thing at Carrington, Lacey has struggled over the past 18 months with consecutive injuries that never allowed him to build any form.
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However, at the back end of the 2024-25 season, he did and played his way into the post-season tour squad.
Here, Lacey had one of the most impressive performances, proving that without injuries he is more than ready to be involved in the first team.
In particular, Ben Thornley raved that Lacey is ‘very exciting’ while on commentary for the tour on MUTV. The winger showed his quick feet and dribbling was beyond his senior teammates already.
Amorim unleashed Lacey against ASEAN All-Stars, with the performance more than justifying the decision and surely lining himself up for pre-season involvement.
Shea Lacey has big summer coming up for Manchester United
After turning 18 in April, the time is now for Lacey to prove himself to Amorim and get himself on the tour to the USA later this month.
Lacey has every bit of quality needed and will learn plenty from Bryan Mbeumo should the Cameroonian sign this summer.
It is a huge few months for Lacey to firstly keep himself fit and injury-free and secondly to work hard in training to earn pre-season minutes.
Amorim has shown a willingness to give academy debuts out to those who are deserving and with an exodus in attack this summer, there will be space in the squad for Lacey to break through.
Exciting times and all signs right now indicate that Lacey is primed for a breakthrough and to remind the footballing world just how good he can be.