Manchester United teenager Shay Lacey is steadily rising through the ranks and despite being sent off earlier this season, the Under-21s manager admits he is now a first-team player.
Shay Lacey currently trains regularly with Man United’s first team (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United Under-21s manager Adam Lawrence says Shay Lacey continues to rise through the ranks and is now considered a first-team player.
The 18-year-old made his senior debut under manager Ruben Amorim in December and has appeared in a total of three games for the Red Devils. That final game was an unforgettable experience as Lacey was sent off in the FA Cup against Brighton at Old Trafford.
The teenager was given his marching orders after receiving two bookings. The first one was for a foul, but he was given a second yellow in the 89th minute for throwing the ball too hard. However, despite his low points, he remains part of Manchester’s first team.
Lacey has only been named on the first-team bench once since manager Michael Carrick took over in January, partly due to a battle with injuries. He has scored eight goals in nine Premier League 2 appearances this season and is currently recovering from a calf problem, with the Under-21s manager admitting he has certainly stepped up.
Lawrence said: “Shea is a very special case. He’s always had an elite skill level. He can do things with the ball, but without getting too carried away and at a true first-team level.”
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“But he is a late developer physically, so such a player requires more time and patience. Day by day, Hsieh trains with the first team and basically follows their program, filling in in the U-21 matches when he needs to play.”
Carrick quickly brought academy product Koby Mynou back into the squad and is expected to continue giving him chances during his time in charge. There was some dissatisfaction with Amorim’s attitude towards the academy, but Carrick changed that.
Shay Lacey was sent off against Brighton in January (Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
United’s Under-21s face Real Madrid in the Premier League International Cup on Tuesday and Lawrence joked he would put in a good word with Carrick to help Lacey cope.
“Oh, you need to sweet talk Michael,” he said. “Shea has had a bit of a problem once or twice and lost his rhythm a little bit, but he’s definitely a player that the club is really looking forward to.
“But this was the biggest block he has had in the first team. He has touched Wood uninterrupted and he is training at a good level. He is managing the sensitive transition from the Under-21 team to senior football. But for now the first team are looking after him day to day.”
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