Manchester United’s second game of the post-season tour of Asia was a vast improvement.
Following the poor display, which saw Manchester United beaten by an ASEAN All-Stars side, Ruben Amorim will have wanted to send fans home happy in the clash against Hong Kong.
United avoided boos in this one, despite going 1-0 down in the first-half.
A second-half comeback by United saw Chido Obi score twice, and Ayden Heaven also get his first senior goal for the Red Devils.
Obi was United’s man of the match in the win, with two clinical strikes which will have Amorim looking at Rasmus Hojlund and wondering whether the 17-year-old should be ahead of him in the pecking order.
However, there was another wonderkid talent catching the eye.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Ben Thornley was impressed with Shea Lacey’s performance for Manchester United
One surprise inclusion in the starting line-up was Shea Lacey, as he started behind Hojlund and alongside Alejandro Garnacho.
Lacey earned this with an impressive cameo on Wednesday, and he was equally as exciting against Hong Kong, not looking at all out of place alongside senior teammates.
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On a number of occasions, Lacey dribbled excellently through tackles before being fouled or finding a pass, and this quality left him the subject of praise for MUTV’s Ben Thornley, who was impressed.
“He moves so well with the ball at his feet, a very exciting player”, he raved.
“Very, very good close control, low centre of gravity, all the things that defenders hate.”
This quality gave Amorim something different in his team, with Lacey, along with Alejandro Garnacho, getting the crowd off their feet.
Shea Lacey is forcing his way into Ruben Amorim’s pre-season plans
Lacey was a surprise inclusion in this squad, which demonstrates the club’s excitement around the 18-year-old who spent much of the 2024-25 season injured.
Now, after back-to-back short performances over in Asia, Lacey has made himself too good to ignore for Amorim this summer.
This tour will mean very little come July, when all focus will be on the 2025-26 season, but each youngster will have been battling for a spot on the plane to the USA even now.
With several attacking sales planned, Lacey has positioned himself well to be on the plane, and if he can stay fit, then there is no reason he cannot also force himself into Amorim’s squad for next season.
But it is important to remember that this is just the start.