Manchester United sensation Shea Lacey was called up to the matchday squad for the first time.
There have been grumblings from Manchester United fans this season about the lack of opportunities for academy players.
Head coach Ruben Amorim has insisted he is trying to stabilise results first, to create the right environment to provide opportunities. He admitted to giving Chido Obi his debut too soon, last season.
For last night’s game against Everton, after five matches unbeaten heading into the fixture, Amorim called up Shea Lacey to the squad for the first time.
Lacey has been highly touted for a couple of seasons now but was held back by injuries. This season he scored his first under-21 goal and has been fast-tracked into the first team.
Shea Lacey in action for Man Utd u21s, black kit
Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Shea Lacey praised on MUTV
Shea Lacey, 18, has earned his way into the Manchester United squad. He impressed on the club’s postseason tour at the end of last season.
Impressive academy performances have been backed up by strong performances in training, where he quickly impressed Amorim.
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Speaking to MUTV ahead of the game, presenter Liam Bradford talked about what he has seen from the young forward.
He told the channel: “Mercurial kind of player, a bit of a maverick. You never really know what he’s going to turn up and do.
“Sometimes, some of the stuff is absolutely outrageous.”
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More chances ahead for Shea Lacey
Former academy player Ben Thornley backed the excitement about Lacey, tipping him for more chances when Amad and Bryan Mbeumo depart for the African Cup of Nations.
Thornley said: “Whether or not he gets an opportunity tonight, it’s a brilliant opportunity for him to be around the first team dressing room.
“I think with the departure of the players that are going on to the AFCON, somebody like Shea Lacey can come in, he’s a wonderful prospect.”
United struggled against the Toffees, and it was not the right night for Lacey to make his debut.
But just making the squad was great progress, and as Thornley correctly noted, Lacey will be better off for his experience.