Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Shea Lacey was once again sensational for Manchester United with his performance against Atletico Madrid, proving he has entered new territory under Michael Carrick.
It was another step in the right direction for Michael Carrick’s Manchester United squad on Saturday, beating Atletico Madrid 2-1 in Stockholm.
Carrick has good reason to be delighted, with several United players shining in the victory, with Shea Lacey among those to have a very impressive afternoon.
The 19-year-old created chances, won the penalty which saw United equalise, and put in a couple of big tackles to match the Atletico side with some ‘dark arts’.
This performance made it crystal clear that Lacey has now reached a new level of his breakthrough for United.
Manchester United v Atletico de Madrid - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Getty Images
Shea Lacey isn’t getting used to first-team football anymore at Manchester United
Lacey didn’t get anywhere near enough playing time last season, compared with what he deserved. But his pre-season performances and the manner in which Michael Carrick has been using him all but confirm he will be a regular and permanent fixture next season.
The teenager plays with confidence and composure that few with such limited exposure and opportunities in the first-team would, which makes it clear that he has the ‘it’ factor that it takes to be successful at one of the world’s biggest clubs.
Pre-season has showcased that Lacey is at a different level altogether and is no longer a youngster who is adapting and adjusting to first-team football; he is already right at home and looks every bit as good as his potential suggested.
Instead, now Lacey is so undeniable that he is playing his game, and his first-team teammates are adapting to and adjusting to him, rather than vice versa.
This is a huge compliment to Lacey for United’s other senior players to see him as worthy of learning how to play with, knowing he is the future.
Getty Images
Lacey is making it easy for Michael Carrick to make him a regular
Earlier this week, it emerged that Lacey is considered a permanent first-team player now, which has been the case for a while, but now it is undisputable.
Lacey’s performances have made this decision so simple for Carrick to make; there is no way he could have made any decision apart from making Lacey a regular fixture of the first-team.
Lacey has made himself at home in the number 10 position this summer, settling in so swiftly, and for the 2026/27 campaign, he already has a role that avoids him competing on the stacked right wing.
Bruno Fernandes has never had a viable alternative at Manchester United, which means he has had to be overused and can’t be rested without the team completely malfunctioning.
Lacey has now proved twice that he can be the attacking midfield solution to this problem and offer an alternative to Fernandes, Lacey should be playing in the cup competitions, against Pot 4 opponents in the Champions League, and also some Premier League games.
Lacey isn’t just a youth player anymore; he is a first-team player and a very good one at that who looks set to be key for United this season.