Manchester United’s star-studded attacking line has been misfiring in the past couple of games, which could open the door for Michael Carrick to finally unleash Shea Lacey.
This week has felt like an eternity as a Manchester United fan, following Monday’s 2-1 loss against Leeds, which saw the attacking line once again underwhelm.
Amad and Bryan Mbeumo were both ineffective on the right, with this performance not an isolated incident, as they have struggled for weeks. Mbeumo is goalless in seven, and Amad hasn’t scored for United since December 15th.
The goals have dried up, and neither deserves to start at the moment based purely on their performances right now. This opens a door for Michael Carrick to send shockwaves through the club with Shea Lacey.
Shea Lacey runs duringManchester United U21 v Real Madrid U21 -
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
Manchester United vs Chelsea: How confident are you feeling?
Getty Images
Michael Carrick should start Shea Lacey vs Chelsea
This season has already seen the debut of Shea Lacey as he was turned to from the bench against Aston Villa, before making subsequent appearances.
Lacey blew Gary Neville away with his brief display against Burnley in January, before he was then sent off against Brighton in the cup, which unfortunately ended his first-team breakthrough.
More United News
With limited games this season, there wasn’t space for Lacey after Amad and Mbeumo returned from AFCON. But the two senior players have been so poor that it should be time for Carrick to take both out and start the 19-year-old.
Lacey has been tearing up U21 football since being back at that level, and Adam Lawrence has confirmed he is a first-teamer now on a permanent basis, which suggests he should be playing.
He has proven in his substitute opportunities that he has the spark to make things happen all on his own, while he also has that desire to impress, which maybe the current stars don’t have right now.
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
Sir Alex Ferguson would start Lacey against Chelsea
It might sound like a very bold call to push Lacey into the starting line-up, but it is a move Sir Alex Ferguson would use to kick some life into Amad and Mbeumo.
The performances of Amad and Mbeumo are unacceptable, but they will never expect to be dropped. So, for Carrick, showing the pair that they are droppable should be seriously considered, as it should give them a kick up the backside and shock their system.
We saw when Carrick arrived, Matheus Cunha was dropped for Patrick Dorgu, and he reacted with some brilliant performances in which he made a real impact off the bench.
If Carrick trusts the youth and Lacey, then this decision should be a no-brainer, because he couldn’t be worse than the other two, and with the Champions League race still on, he needs Amad and Mbeumo back in form.
Lacey is also more than good enough, so it should be a win-win in theory.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox