Two Manchester United youngsters have been on divergent paths this week, with Shea Lacey scoring against Brighton shortly after JJ Gabriel requested to leave Old Trafford
Manchester United's English midfielder #31 Shea Lacey celebrates scoring the team's first goal during the English League Cup third round football match between Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 16, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications.
Manchester United's English midfielder #31 Shea Lacey celebrates scoring the team's first goal during the English League Cup third round football match between Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 16, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications.
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Michael Carrick says that Manchester United are 'always looking' for their next wonderkid after Shea Lacey marked his full debut with a stunning goal. Lacey, 19, started Wednesday's clash Brighton in the Carabao Cup and put Carrick's side ahead in the eighth minute - only for them to fall to a 3-2 defeat.
Lacey's goal came just over 24 hours after it emerged that another highly rated academy prospect, JJ Gabriel, had requested to leave United. The 15-year-old feels that he should already be playing in the first-team, having scored 23 goals in the under-18 Premier League last season.
Gabriel reportedly flew to Barcelona on Friday for talks with the La Liga giants, whose rivals Real Madrid are also interested. But United hope to convince the forward to stay and Carrick has reminded him that the club's ethos of giving young players a chance still exists.
Asked whether Lacey's goal can inspire those in the academy, Carrick told MUTV: "That's it. To have continued moments like that. The history of this club is littered with them. You could go on forever talking about them and that's the magic of it. That's the beauty of it.
"That's why so many people in the academy work so hard and it's what this club has been built upon. So Shea's had that next moment, or the current moment I should say, and we'll see who brings it on to having the next opportunity because we always look forward to the next one."
Elaborating on Lacey, who could feature when United travel to Fulham on Sunday, the Red Devils boss added: "It was amazing for Shea and his family and everyone at the academy, connected to the academy, I think to bring Shea through on his journey and to see him start a game at Old Trafford.
LEIGH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: JJ Gabriel of Manchester United U21 in action during the Premier League 2 match between Manchester United U21 and Leicester City U21 at Leigh Sports Village on August 31, 2026 in Leigh, England. (Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)
JJ Gabriel has requested to cancel his registration with Manchester United(Image: Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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"And for him to do what he does best. I've seen him do that on the pitches outside there [at Carrington] quite a few times and that's his little spot, you know? Getting there and turning on his left foot and coming inside.
"I'm delighted for him. The way the game pans out and the finish of the game and the result, I think it takes it away a little bit but, when the dust settles and he can have a moment, I think he can be very proud of himself because it was a big moment for him."