Manchester United Training Session
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Rio Ferdinand has insisted that Michael Carrick must offer a bigger chance for one Manchester United player to shine further at Old Trafford this season.
The 47-year-old Manchester United legend made his clear-cut assessment after the Red Devils’ latest Champions League display at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening.
Goals from Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha ensured that United completed a stunning 3-2 comeback win against Roma in the second half of their clash.
Despite Matheus Cunha’s sensational brace, Rio Ferdinand turned his attention to Red Devils talent Shea Lacey for what he brought to the Champions League tie.
Rio Ferdinand says that Shea Lacey’s impact against Roma warrants a further push in the Man Utd first team
Shea Lacey was handed an opportunity late in the second half after Michael Carrick made the call to withdraw Amad Diallo in the 75th minute. Manchester United were trailing Roma 2-1 at the time that Lacey took to the pitch before Matheus Cunha netted the equaliser in the 83rd minute from a Bruno Fernandes cross.
Fast-forward three minutes from United’s second-half equaliser and Lacey collected the ball out from the right before drilling a low pass into the path of an onrushing Cunha. Cunha’s first touch perfectly pushed the ball into the Roma box before the Brazil international unleashed a stunning effort at the near post of Devis Vasquez’s net.
Speaking on his podcast, Rio Ferdinand was deeply impressed with the “fearless” ability that Lacey showed during his 15-minute second-half cameo against Roma.
“I look at Shay Lacey even, the young kid who came on playing on the right wing,” he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.
“How fearless he looked, comfortable with the ball. Yeah, he’s little in stature, but he looks like he’s got a big character, big personality. He wants to get in and wants to do well.
“He played a massive role in the winning goal. Great pass, great weight of pass, great touch in the end from Cunha and an even better finish.”
As per Squawka, Shea Lacey’s key Man Utd stats in Tuesday’s Champions League fixture against Roma at Old Trafford:
Assist: 1
Chance created: 1
Duels won: 4/5
Minutes played: 15
Possessions won: 1
Successful passes: 7/7
Successful take-ons: 3/4
Tackle: 1
Touches in the opposition box: 1
Touches: 14
Ferdinand added: “But he’s [Lacey] willing to take responsibility and he looked like one of those kids who’s going, ‘Give me the ball, man. Give me the ball. I’m ready. I’m ready. I’ve got signs to show you.’
“So, I think he needs to have a more meaningful role within the squad and [to] get more minutes, I think.”
Lacey has made six first-team appearances across all competitions in the 2026-27 campaign and the 19-year-old Liverpool-born winger has netted once and registered an assist so far. The United youth academy product made his debut in the first team during the 2025-26 Premier League campaign under former Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim.