Manchester United prospect Shea Lacey has apologised for his red card in Sunday's FA Cup third round defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford
Shea Lacey of Manchester United leaves the field after being shown a red card
Manchester United talent Shea Lacey leaves the field in frustration after being shown a red card against Brighton(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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Shea Lacey has apologised to his Manchester United teammates, staff, and the club's supporters after he was sent off late in Sunday's FA Cup defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford.
United were knocked out of the FA Cup by Premier League opposition after trailing for the majority of the tie. Striker Benjamin Sesko had only just pulled one goal back in 85th minute when Lacey, 18, was shown two yellow cards in quick succession.
The first was for a foul and the second was for his reaction to a second foul. After bringing down Ferdi Kadioglu, for which referee Simon Hooper gave a Brighton free-kick, Lacey threw the ball away in anger.
The teenager was therefore booked again and ordered to leave the field of play. He did so whilst showing further frustration, hiding his face in his shirt before television cameras caught the player kicking a wall inside the Old Trafford tunnel.
But, with a calmer mind in the hours after United's disappointment, Lacey has published a full apology across his social media channels.
"I want to apologise to all of my teammates staff and the fans [sad pensive face emoji]. I let everybody down tonight I shouldn’t let my emotions get the better of me I will do everything I can to make this right [praying emoji]," he promised.
This was Lacey's first FA Cup appearance and only his third for United's senior side. All three have come as a substitute, twice since Darren Fletcher took over as interim coach, and his outing against Brighton was the longest he has spent on the field of play for United.
In the comments section of his Instagram post was a reply from the son of United's interim coach and fellow academy graduate, Jack Fletcher, who sent a red heart and fingers crossed emojis to his teammate.
As a result of his red card, Lacey will now serve a suspension that will rule him out of next weekend's Manchester derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford.
But Fletcher was ultimately unhappy that his player has been put in this position. The temporary United boss told TNT Sports: "Shea Lacey’s yellow card is ridiculous compared to the fouls that we had against us all game, which ultimately then the lad makes a mistake and is sent off. For me it is poor refereeing.
"He's disappointed because he cares and he understands and he knows he will learn from it. There is no doubt about his talent. It was a steep learning curve today but we believe in Shea.
"He's one of our most exciting young prospects and I'm sure at Old Trafford he will have a chance to make amends for that in the future."
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