Ruben Amorim will be taking a real look at the Manchester United academy talents this summer with a view to including some in his 2025-26 squad.
The head coach has already made efforts to do this, as he included some youngsters in the post-season tour.
Already in the opening six months of his reign, Ruben Amorim has handed out three academy debuts. The promotion of Chido Obi, Harry Amass, and Tyler Fredricson will have shown Amorim that he can trust the youth.
As a result, Amorim has now named a 32-man post-season tour squad, including nine youngsters who have yet to make their debuts for Manchester United.
Dan Armer
Jaydan Kamason
Godwill Kukonki
Reece Munro
Tyler Fletcher
Sekou Kone
Shea Lacey
Jack Moorhouse
Jim Thwaites
Among this list, there were several exciting names, with fans surely keen to watch in action alongside the senior team. However, one player in particular could become a true star and already has the talent to be a superstar.
Photo by Zohaib Alam - MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Zohaib Alam – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
Shea Lacey is finally set for Manchester United senior opportunity
When Amorim’s squad to face ASEAN All Stars in Kuala Lumpur was announced, the academy inclusions were exciting, and no name sparked more conversation than Shea Lacey.
It has been far from a perfect year for the 18-year-old, with setback after setback meaning he failed to put a consistent run of games together all season long. Lacey has been among United’s best youngsters for years, with every fan hoping to see him progress through the ranks, and now he is doing just that.
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After returning late in the season, Lacey ended the campaign with two goals and three assists in the final five under-18 games. Clearly, this was enough to show the coaching staff that he is ready to step up.
Lacey’s ability is considered above academy level, and for the past few months, all he has needed is to stay fit, with dominant performances each time he returns.
Already, Lacey is so complete with excellent technical ability, work rate, and his end product and creativity are elite for his age. This gives us real confidence that with Alejandro Garnacho set to be sold, there is a ready-made replacement ready to step up from Carrington.
With a summer overhaul planned, there will be plenty of opportunity for talented academy players to step up, and this is likely exactly what Amorim is doing in Malaysia. Amorim will love Lacey as a player, and he could easily be an option in the number 10 position next season.
If he gets a chance, Lacey will impress as he is too good not to, but the most important thing will be to avoid injury.
Lacey’s injury record has held back United breakthrough
On the ball, Lacey is unstoppable with dribbling that left MUTV commentator Ben Thornley raving. “Lacey so evasive… so tricky”, he raved as the Liverpudlian winger turned defenders inside out earlier this season.
All signs point toward Lacey becoming a superstar for Amorim if he has managed to put the injury struggles behind him.
Lacey managed just 11 appearances during the 2024-25 season for United, with each return cut short by another blow, which left him facing another period on the sidelines.
This situation will have been difficult for the United talent, so it is a testament to his mental fortitude that he has bounced back time and time again and looked better each time, both physically and in terms of his decision-making.
This could be the opportunity Lacey has been waiting for, and if he takes it, then he will surely be on the Tour to America in July.