Shea Lacey shines, Man United reconsiders winter plans
Form in the EFL Trophy helped Man United U21s win 2-0, while also strengthening their academy priority plan for the winter transfer window as AFCON and the end of year calendar approach.
An energetic performance from Shea Lacey in the EFL Trophy is putting the Carrington academy back at the heart of Manchester United’s plans. The 18-year-old right-winger was instrumental in the Under-21s’ 2-0 win over Notts County and, with a busy end-of-year schedule and the threat of a squad shortage due to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from December to January, the option of prioritising internal resources over January spending has been reinforced.
2-0 mark at EFL Trophy: cross-field pass, 30th-minute shot
Positioned on his strong right flank, Lacey formed a dynamic trio with Chido Obi and James Scanlon. Just minutes after the ball started, he sent a pass that broke through the pressing from midfield, opening up the first dangerous opportunity for Man United U21.
The highlight came in the 30th minute: receiving the ball from Obi's pass, Lacey controlled the ball delicately with his chest before unleashing a powerful shot that beat the opposing goalkeeper, consolidating the game and the 2-0 result for the youth team.
Technical profile: Riyad Mahrez style of handling, dangerous in the final third
Lacey impresses with a style of play reminiscent of Riyad Mahrez: fast, technical and creative in tight spaces. His small stature gives him a low centre of gravity, good balance when changing direction; his soft touch and vision help him constantly find solutions in the final third. With those qualities, Lacey is considered a “rough diamond” being polished by Manchester United.
First team door: Trains with first team and England, fits right-sided 3-4-2-1 role
Lacey has not only stood out at youth level. He has been called up to train with the Manchester United first team on several occasions by coach Ruben Amorim and was invited to train with the England team during the October training camp, reflecting the speed of the 2007-born player’s development. In a 3-4-2-1 formation, Lacey is a natural candidate for the right-sided attacking midfielder role – a position that requires the speed, technique and creativity he possesses.
Transfer impact: academy priority in winter
Manchester United are facing a possible shortage of wingers due to the AFCON overlapping between December and January. At the same time, after a summer of heavy spending on new players, the team needs to balance its finances and aim for sustainable development. In that context, the option of using academy resources – with names like Shea Lacey or Omari Forson – becomes more realistic than rushing to buy in January.
If this trend continues, a big move is likely to come in the summer. In the meantime, the opportunity for a homegrown player to break into the first team is clear – and Lacey is taking firm steps to seize that opportunity in the cutthroat phase of the Premier League.