Ruben Amorim found breathing room again with a win against Crystal Palace, and Matheus Cunha’s return means his options are getting stronger, albeit at one wonderkid’s cost.
Man Utd’s bench has looked remarkably thin in recent weeks as injuries to Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko brought them back down to last season’s attack.
Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount’s goals against Crystal Palace were much needed because now, with Cunha set to return, the bench looks strong all of a sudden.
Unfortunately, that means that a special Man Utd wonderkid will have to break down the first-team door all over again after missing out in the last two games.
Shea Lacey during Manchester United Training Session.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Matheus Cunha’s return pushes Shea Lacey down the order
In Cunha’s absence, Ruben Amorim was forced to do what he has avoided doing, much to the frustration of Man Utd fans, which is to put an academy player on the bench.
Shea Lacey was the player who made the matchday squad for the last two games – vs Everton and Crystal Palace.
However, Amorim didn’t trust him enough to give him some minutes in either game, and with Cunha’s return, it might well be back to square one for the youngster.
Does Ruben Amorim need to improve his use of the academy?⭐️
Ruben Amorim in Manchester United attire during loss to Everton.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
More United News
That is because Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and Bryan Mbeumo are undroppable, Mount and Zirkzee score to earn more minutes for themselves, and Cunha will certainly be back amongst the minutes.
Lacey’s best opportunity for minutes was in Cunha’s absence, coming off the bench, but Amorim continues not to trust the youngsters with any minutes this season.
Now that Cunha is back, the ship has likely sailed, at least until AFCON, when Mbeumo and Amad leave for national team duties.
Ruben Amorim’s huge opportunity to future-proof Man Utd
It’s all well and good saying Lacey will be trusted when players leave for AFCON, but to throw him straight into the deep end when it happens is just poor management.
Cunha’s absence was the perfect opportunity to drip-feed some minutes into Lacey, who has never played senior football.
Everything you need to know about Shea Lacey!
Small cameos in both games, especially against Everton when United were desperate for goals and looking uninspiring in attack, would have done wonders for the player’s confidence.
It would have made him more ready for when Mbeumo and Amad leave for AFCON duties, as he would have had some minutes under his belt.
As it stands, Lacey will be given a trial by fire when he gets his first minutes, because there will be no Mbeumo to share his minutes.
Amorim has just missed a huge opportunity to future-proof the club in a senior star’s absence by trusting the youth. It’s back to the drawing board for Lacey, who will have to make himself undeniable again.
It goes against the ethos of United.