18yo sensation is showing why Man United fans cannot stop talking about him
Manchester United wonderkid Shea Lacey produced another dazzling performance for the Under-21s in the 2–0 win over Notts County in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.
Operating in his favoured right-wing role, Lacey formed a lively attacking trio with Chido Obi and James Scanlon.
The 18-year-old showed his class early on with a near-perfect defence-splitting pass from the halfway line to release Scanlon in behind.
He also demonstrated his superb range of passing, switching play effortlessly from right to left to stretch Notts County’s backline.
His standout moment arrived in the 30th minute, when he chested down a clever pass from Obi before smashing home a brilliant finish.
His style of play is very similar to that of Riyad Mahrez. His lightning-fast footwork and sharp turns make him a nightmare for defenders, often forcing them to bring him down just to stop him.
Despite his slight frame, Lacey uses his low centre of gravity to glide past opponents with ease, combining balance with creativity in the final third.
He linked up superbly with Amir Ibragimov, combining beautifully in tight spaces before Ibragimov whipped in a dangerous cross that narrowly evaded a teammate.
The teenager has already blown away United head coach Ruben Amorim and his coaching staff.
He has been a regular participant in first-team training sessions, indicating that he could be the next United graduate to break through.
His rising reputation was further boosted when he trained with the England senior squad during the October international break.
Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo could be unavailable for up to six games during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) between December and January.
Lacey could earn his debut for the senior team in this period as he looks tailor-made for the right number 10 spot in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.
Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .