Shea Lacey received a red card late during Manchester United’s defeat to Brighton.
Manchester United teenager Shea Lacey showed a flash of his potential in the recent Premier League draw with Burnley.
United turned to Lacey for inspiration again during the FA Cup clash against Brighton.
Shea Lacey dribbles the ball at Old Trafford
Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport via Getty Images
Lacey was thrown on with United 2-0 down. United clawed back to 2-1 down, before Lacey was given a red card for a second bookable offence.
Referee Simon Hooper gave Lacey his marching orders for a show of dissent, throwing the ball away.
What is your opinion on Shea Lacey being sent off vs Brighton?
Harsh refereeing or a silly mistake from the youngster?
Shea Lacey is shown a red card
Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Reaction to Shea Lacey red card
Interim manager Darren Fletcher was furious with the decision to send off 18-year-old Lacey.
Fletcher even picked up a yellow card for making his point to the officials after the full-time whistle, demonstrating passion rarely seen from Ruben Amorim.
More United News
The interim manager also complained about the red card during his post-match interview, driving home his point.
Darren Fletcher just picked up his first booking for Manchester United since 2015
Good on him for showing a bit of fight!
Darren Fletcher is shown a yellow card by referee Simon Hooper after the FA Cup third-round match between Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford in 2026 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Another former Manchester United midfielder backed Fletcher’s complaints, speaking in the MUTV studio.
Quinton Fortune told the channel: “You expect a little bit of common sense, he’s a young player, give him a little warning and say don’t do it again.”
Fortune added that it was not like Lacey had committed a serious foul, just showing dissent, adding: “Come on.”
Fellow pundit Wes Brown talked about Shea Lacey too, praising the attacking threat he showed during his substitute appearance.
Brown said: “He was a little bit of a threat when he came on, he was getting at his man.
“We didn’t have many players taking on anyone, trying to get down the line and put the ball in the box, and he was the one player that was doing that.
“Very unfortunate,” he added regarding Lacey’s sending off.
Man Utd’s manager for the derby vs City next weekend should be ___________
Who do you want to see in charge next week? Is it time for Fletcher to step aside?
Darren Fletcher claps fans
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Lacey suspended for one game
Shea Lacey incurs a one-match suspension due to his red card, ruling him out of the upcoming Manchester derby.
He will be available for the following game against Arsenal, but his path back into the team will be more complicated.
United could have a new interim manager in place by then, and will also have Amad and Bryan Mbeumo back from the AFCON.
Lacey has shown he has something to offer – but he is not a guarantee to be in the matchday squad against the Gunners.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox