Shea Lacey sent the world a reminder of his footballing talents against Real Madrid Castilla, paving the way for Michael Carrick to relaunch him.
This season was supposed to be a breakout one for Shea Lacey, but a combination of factors conspired to hold him back.
Lacey’s own injury worries were overcome, but Man Utd were eliminated from two competitions. Then, when a trusting manager arrived, he got injured again.
Now, with Michael Carrick at the helm, and Lacey fit and firing, the youngster must be relaunched in the remaining seven games of the season.
Shea Lacey in action for Manchester United.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United 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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Michael Carrick must relaunch Shea Lacey
Lacey has already faced more setbacks in his short career than many footballers face in a decade, but it speaks to his mental strength that he hasn’t let them stop him.
Every time Lacey returns from injury, he picks up from where he left off, and his heroics against Castilla in Man Utd U21s’ 4-2 loss at Old Trafford proved as much again.
Lacey looked a class above every player across both teams, playing like someone who’s ready for the first team, and has dropped down for a game to regain match fitness.
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He came off at the end of regular time as he ramps up his return from injury, paving the way for Carrick to relaunch him.
With seven games left in the season, Lacey needs to be reintroduced into the first-team picture again, likely off the bench.
Lacey has already shown an electric spark that can get Man Utd fans out of their seats, so any cameo between now and the end of the season will be fully deserved.
Lacey should aim to play at least 100 minutes of senior football in the remaining seven games, and if he impresses Carrick, he could be the gift United get next season.
Lacey’s relaunch adds a first-team player next season
At the beginning of this season, Lacey needed to prove he could overcome his injury worries, and even though he hasn’t proven that entirely, he’s proved that he can return from injuries without missing a beat.
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
Going injury-free between now and the end of the season will see Lacey position himself as the wild card ahead of next season, where he will almost certainly be a part of the first-team setup.
Regardless of who the manager is, they can then rely on Lacey as an attacking option who is a bona fide first-team player instead of a youngster to be brought through.
Carrick might have only seven games left this season, but it’s enough to platform Lacey to prove that that should be the case.
Lacey is not a player who debuted under Carrick, but sometimes, the relaunch of a youngster is as important as the debut.
That’s true for Lacey. His career begins here.
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