Manchester United’s academy pipeline keeps talents ready to step up for the first team, something Ruben Amorim has taken advantage of last season.
The Portuguese handed debuts to Harry Amass, Tyler Fredricson, and Chido Obi. And more such wonderkids are waiting in line to impress.
All the recent headlines have been rightfully won by 14-year-old JJ Gabriel, who has been in red-hot form for the U18s, with the first team head coach calling him up for first team training this season.
A few seasons ago, the same level of hype was created by Shea Lacey, who was tipped to be the next superstar talent off the Carrington production line.
Lacey’s fitness record
Amorim chose to take him to Asia for the pre-season tour with the 18-year-old impressing against the ASEAN All Stars.
However, injuries have not been kind to the England U17 international, with Shea Lacey suffering a multitude of injuries which have robbed him off the chance to impress on a consistent basis.
He returned from injury in the recent U21 Manchester derby and made an instant impact, setting up Amir Ibragimov’s winner after good work down the right.
U21s boss Travis Binnion tried to downplay expectations, asking for patience from fans and media. He also explained that the main thing holding back the Carrington graduate at the moment is his own fitness record.
U21 boss calls for patience
“Everybody in the world knows about Shea Lacey,” Binnion was quoted as saying by The BBC.
“He needs to be patient with himself and everyone else needs to be patient with him because there is still loads to come tactically, physically and mentally.
“We are still managing him physically. If he can stay on the pitch and stay training, everyone thinks he could be a top player.”
He has seven goals and as many assists for the U18s from only 17 starts, which shows what a talent the club have on their hands.
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
