Shea Lacey has proven this season that he is ready right now to step up and make an impact for Manchester United’s first team.
Despite only playing three times for the first team, Shea Lacey showed he is ready to step up during these cameos. Lacey was Manchester United’s 256th academy graduate, and he looks like the latest to have a real chance of making it at Old Trafford.
Lacey wowed Gary Neville with his directness, showing his intent and almost scoring as he hit the bar against Burnley in his second senior appearance.
Despite his brilliance, a red card for Lacey against Brighton derailed his breakthrough, as it meant he was out until Amad and Bryan Mbeumo returned, and then suffered an injury setback. But return is imminent with Adam Lawrence now hailing the wonderkid.
Shea Lacey dribbles the ball at Old Trafford
Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport via Getty Images
How good can Shea Lacey become? Who does he remind you of?
Darren Fletcher has made a big prediction about Shea Lacey!
Fletcher / Lacey
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Adam Lawrence explains Shea Lacey’s quality is first-team level
Speaking to the Daily Mail at Carrington, under-21 head coach Lawrence pointed out some interesting observations about Lacey’s development.
“Shea [Lacey] is quite a unique case that you don’t see a lot of within the game because he’s always had a higher level, like an elite technical level.
“He’s been a later developer physically. So it’s not always an easy case with that type of player because they can do things with the ball, which are, without getting too carried away, like first-team level, genuinely.
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“But then, in terms of the physicality and the physical side of the game, they need more time and patience.
“So again, this period has been really critical for Shea in terms of being consistently with the first team.”
What are your expectations for Shea Lacey next season?
If he can stay fit surely he gets plenty of minutes…🤔
Shea Lacey walking off the pitch after Man Utd play Fulham
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Shea Lacey has earned more first-team opportunities this season
The issue for Lacey this season has been a mix of his availability, but also the lack of games United has played. But next season this will change.
Champions League football is looking very likely, and so, with the prospect of guaranteeing a return to Europe’s top table soon, Michael Carrick should start bringing Lacey back into the first team for cameo minutes.
This would give Lacey more experience ahead of next season when he could play a lot of football with United set to play at least eight games more than this campaign, so it would be smart planning.
Lacey has been excellent this season when playing, and slowly, it looks like his fitness concerns are being rectified.
So if United are winning a game, Lacey should be the first substitution to give him a favourable game state to build confidence. He’s earned this.
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