Manchester United’s exciting teenager Shea Lacey has become a regular feature in the first-team training sessions.
The 18-year-old is considered one of the hottest prospects at the club by almost all accounts. He has been described as a ‘special talent’ by close observers, like Alex Turk.
Lacey also earned comparisons to MUFC legend Wayne Rooney, mostly due to his Liverpool roots and his playing style, which combines excellent technique and dribbling with great tenacity. But while the England icon was a striker by trade, the youngster mostly plays on the right wing, while occasionally featuring as an attacking midfielder.
Shea Lacey’s rise has been hampered by injuries
The talented teenager’s development has always been ahead of schedule. He made his debut for Man Utd’s U18 side at the tender age of 18. Lacey then went on to train with the senior squad at just 16 before signing his first contract in April 2024, but his momentum was derailed by injuries last season.
Nonetheless, the young man has been able to remain healthy as of late, and Ruben Amorim is apparently enticed by his undoubted promise.
In his latest update on the Centre Devils, United insider Sully reveals that the young winger has been training with the first team on Wednesday and Thursday.
The journalist insists that Lacey has been able to impress the Portuguese manager and the rest of the technical staff.
Will Shea Lacey make his first-team debut for Man United?
While this won’t necessarily warrant an immediate first-team call-up, the teenager is certainly on the right path towards earning his senior debut at some point during the season, reckons the source, especially if he manages to avoid injuries.
However, the main issue for Lacey, and Man United’s other up-and-coming youngsters, is the lack of opportunities due to the light schedule, as the club failed to qualify for Europe this season, and has also been embarrassingly eliminated from the Carabao Cup at the hands of Grimsby Town.
Moreover, Lacey is a left-footed winger who likes to cut from the right side, and Amorim already has two similar profiles among his ranks, in the shape of Amad Diallo and summer signing, Bryan Mbeumo.
