This season has seen Shea Lacey fire himself right back into the discussions to be the next Manchester United academy debutant with his increasingly impressive performances.
The Liverpool-born wonderkid is viewed as a potential future great at Manchester United, with all the talent in the world, and he simply just needed to stay injury-free.
After two years without playing a full game for United, this season has been a refreshing step forward for Shea Lacey, putting together a strong run of performances for club and country.
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Shea Lacey
2025/26 Season Stats (Club & Country)
Team Opponent Goals Assists
England U20 Japan U20(Draw 1-1) 1 0
Man Utd U21 Notts County (EFL)(Won 2-0) 1 0
Man Utd U21 Tottenham U21(Won 4-1) 0 1
Man Utd U21 Barnsley (EFL)(Lost 2-5) 0 1
England U20 Switzerland U20(Lost 0-1) 0 0
Man Utd U21 Crystal Palace U21(Won 4-1) 2 0
Man Utd U21 Man City U21(Won 2-1) 0 1
Man Utd U21 Other 4 Matches(Liverpool, Lincoln, Blackburn, Bilbao) 0 0
COMBINED TOTAL 4 3
Data sourced from United In Focus, Transfermarkt & Soccerway (Nov 2025)
Impressively, Lacey has also begun adding consistent goals and assists to his game, as shown above. Most recently, this saw Lacey score for England U20 against Japan with a special strike, which saw him visibly delighted.
Lacey’s goals have been different to usual this season, which is a result of him adding a new tool to his game.
Shea Lacey in action for England.
Photo by Alex Livesey – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
In his years as an academy talent, Lacey was often reliant on his magical left foot to create chances and score goals, which might have been an issue when he made it to senior football.
However, this season Lacey has developed the weapons in his arsenal to include his right foot, and it has made him double the threat to defences and a lot more unpredictable
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In Lacey’s last four goals this season, three have come off his right foot, including the sensational strike against Japan, which proved why this was such an important addition to his game.
By being equally as ruthless with either foot, Lacey makes himself more valuable to Amorim across the pitch, as from the 10 position, he can go inside or outside, while also being able to interchange on the left.
Amorim is ‘enthused’ by Lacey right now, and it is easy to see why with the 18-year-old becoming increasingly well-rounded, which will serve him well when he steps into men’s football.
Manchester United need to unleash Lacey on the Premier League
Speaking to the press ahead of Monday’s clash with Everton, Amorim insisted the academy will be key during AFCON, with both Amad and Bryan Mbeumo set to be gone for weeks.
In particular, this situation will likely benefit Lacey, as the opportunity to step up into the vacant right-sided roles comes at the perfect time.
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Lacey is on fire for United’s academy, and a debut during AFCON is increasingly likely as he is quickly becoming a complete attacker.
However, this is not far away, as AFCON starts in one month, and so United need to get Lacey into the team immediately and allow him to build some momentum before Mbeumo leaves.
Lacey is ready right now to shine; hopefully, Amorim gives him this opportunity, potentially as early as Everton, with a spot on the bench freed up by Benjamin Sesko’s injury.