Shea Lacey playing against Roma
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Michael Carrick has a decision to make with Shea Lacey and Amad Diallo both pushing to start on the right flank against Aston Villa.
Although Shea Lacey has yet to start a game under Michael Carrick, there is appetite for the academy graduate to be called into the Manchester United line-up when they host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday. He has been limited to just 125 minutes of senior football thus far this season.
Lacey came off the bench and provided a match-winning assist for Matheus Cunha against Roma on Tuesday night. It was the 19-year-old’s second goal contribution this term.
With Amad Diallo struggling for form, United fans are beginning to debate whether it’s time for Lacey to get a proper chance to break through. This has led to calls for Carrick to drop his Ivorian winger for the upcoming match against Villa.
Andy Goldstein claims Shea Lacey will start for Man Utd vs Aston Villa
Lacey has shown glimpses of his ability, but with time on his side, the talented youngster should get plenty of opportunities if he keeps impressing when called upon. The winger played 10 minutes against Hull City on the opening day of the season; however, he’d have to wait to feature again in the Premier League until the 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at the end of October.
After missing the start of the season due to injury, Amad has returned and struggled to replicate his best form in a United shirt. His finishing has been poor, which is evident from his stats: zero goals and one assist after seven appearances. This has rightly led to questions over whether Lacey should start ahead of Amad against Villa.
According to Andy Goldstein on talkSPORT, the same source who told him Bruno Fernandes would be dropped against Bournemouth has said there will be a change on the right flank this weekend. The radio presenter believes Lacey will start ahead of Amad.
“I’ve heard, by the way, and it’s from the same person who told me that Bruno Fernandes was going to be dropped… has told me that Shea Lacey starts against Villa,” Goldstein said. “How about that?
“Now he was so good for Man United last night and whenever he’s come on. He just looks… when the crowd watch him, they’re on the edge of their seats. Genuinely, you can hear that gasps…
“I like Amad, but there’s obviously something that we’re missing with his game. Maybe his finishing is not that great. Shea Lacey looks a really good player.”
Sunday could be Carrick’s final chance – before the international break – to keep his job, after getting more time to turn things around. The win over Roma will help, but United must build on that against Villa.
This level of competition won’t do Amad any harm. If he responds in the right way, it should benefit United long-term, giving us more threatening options on the right flank.