Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has a selection call to make with Shea Lacey and Amad vying to start on the right-hand side against Aston Villa
Shea Lacey and Amad
Shea Lacey and Amad are battling for a start for Manchester United against Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)
View 2 Images
If Shea Lacey becomes a Manchester United regular this season, he will look back at Tuesday night as the catalyst for his ascension. From the start of Michael Carrick's tenure, Lacey has threatened to break into the team.
The winger was given a 10-minute cameo against Hull on the opening day of the season, however did not then feature again in the Premier League until the 3-0 hammering against Bournemouth.
Lacey's appearance in that fixture was seen as a hint that Carrick's time at Old Trafford could be coming to an end; throwing a talented teenager on as one final act of defiance. But, the 'inevitable' sacking never came. Instead, Ineos chose to stand by their man.
Chelsea came and went with Lacey forced to watch again from the bench. On the pitch, Amad remained Carrick's first choice and he did everything right at Stamford Bridge, apart from score. He had four shots, two on target, culminating in a 0.56 xG, according to Opta.
There was plenty of life and fight in that display from Amad. He pressed high up the pitch and forced errors from the Chelsea defence. Ultimately, his poor finishing cost both him and United.
However, nobody could deny those positive signs and it was unsurprising to see Amad keep his place against Roma. Unfortunately for the Reds, that optimism vanished over the course of 75 minutes. Amad failed to create a single chance against the Italian side. His xG sat at a meagre 0.06 and only five of his 41 touches were inside the opposition box.
With Bruno Fernandes halving the deficit, United needed to take the next step, and Carrick place his trust in Lacey to provide that. In his 15 minutes, plus stoppages, the 19-year-old had 14 touches, completed all seven of his passes and took on the same number of dribbles as Amad (four), with a higher success rate (three to Amad's two).
READ MORE: UEFA make decision on Matheus Cunha ban after Man United star broke post-match rules
Lacey's fearlessness would be rewarded as he played an inch perfect pass to assist Matheus Cunha for the winner. Cunha made a beeline for Lacey after he emerged from his celebrations in the crowd and it was nothing more than the youngster deserved.
In his post-match press conference, Carrick reserved praise for the teenager.
"Not going too over the top, but at the same time absolutely delighted for Shea," the head coach said. "We love him to bits. He's a great young man, he's desperate to do well, he's got great ability. So in terms of coming inside and finding the pass, that's not surprising.
"He's got that little glint in his eye, he plays with a bit of mischief, if you like, so he's always looking to have that. But I was just as happy seeing him defending as a right-back when we needed that in the moments when as a rounded footballer, you've got to be able to do that.
"So I was just as pleased seeing him do that in the defensive side, and seeing younger players take the opportunity. I think he gave everybody a bit of a lift coming on the pitch, and it was fantastic to see, and he made the most of what he had tonight."
Matheus Cunha celebrates with Shea Lacey
Matheus Cunha celebrates with Shea Lacey
View 2 Images
Now, Carrick has a decision to make: Does he stick with Amad, and his 104 games of experience for United, or does he pivot to Lacey against Aston Villa?
Truthfully, the answer is obvious. Sunday is last chance saloon for Carrick. Since the crisis talks, United have had two good halves and two bad ones.
A decision on his future will solely rest on what happens against Villa. Win, and his job is safe. Anything else and it may be the end.
It would be foolish to overlook Lacey again after his impact on Tuesday night.
When Amad broke into the first-team, fans were clamouring for him to start every game and Erik ten Hag had to deal with that pressure. He stood strong, dropped him from the starting XI for his final three Premier League games in charge, and lost his job. A few weeks later, Amad became hot property and picked up six assists and a goal in just seven Premier League games.
Now, Amad is on the other side of the debate. Lacey is the exciting new talent that the fans want to see and his performances deserve starts. If Carrick once again sticks with the 'safe' route, he could be heading the same way as Ten Hag.