Ruben Amorim has found Man Utd’s next wonderkid and has a plan for teenager | Football | Sport

Shea Lacey stands out as one of Manchester United‘s brightest academy prospects at present, with Ruben Amorim taking a direct role in guiding the teenager’s journey towards first-team football. The 18-year-old has yet to earn his senior bow but has caught the eye in the Vertu Trophy alongside the Under 21s this campaign.

The 2007-born winger found the net during United’s 2-0 triumph over Notts County on Tuesday evening. Chido Obi threaded a pass to Lacey down the right flank, and he controlled before slotting the ball home with aplomb. The strike marked a clinical finish from the youngster, bringing his tally to three goals this term.

After an injury-hit 2024/25 campaign, Lacey is now building momentum in his quest to break into the senior squad, with Amorim monitoring his progress closely.

Reports from the Daily Mail suggest Lacey and Amorim have engaged in multiple face-to-face discussions at United’s training facility in recent weeks.

The prospect has enjoyed increased involvement with the first-team setup, leading to enhanced focus on charting his pathway to a senior debut.

United under-21s manager Travis Binnion remarked: “It’s important the games programme doesn’t get in the way of his opportunities with the first team.

“He’s had a good few days with the first team (last week). We speak every day with the first team and get a week ahead in terms of what games he’s going to play and what’s right for him.

“I saw Jason at Barnsley and you have conversations with him, (academy head) Stephen Torpey, Ruben and (assistant) Carlos (Fernandes) around who, where, when, what. We are trying to get ahead of it by planning around the games, and you can’t do that without the dialogue that we have.”

Lacey’s preferred position is operating as a right attacking midfielder, precisely the same role where Bryan Mbeumo has been deployed this campaign.

However, with the ex-Brentford star departing for the African Cup of Nations with Cameroon in December, United are targeting that period to hand Lacey his senior debut.

Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui represent the other United players travelling to AFCON, which kicks off on Sunday, December 21.

The trio could potentially miss as many as six Premier League fixtures – plus one FA Cup clash – in total.

Given United lack alternative options to cover for Mbeumo and Amad on the right flank, Lacey might be presented with the ideal opportunity to make his mark at senior level.

Furthermore, should Lacey receive his chance in the first team, he could assist in preserving an 88-year United tradition.

The Red Devils have featured an academy graduate in every matchday squad since October 1937.

However, during their 2-2 stalemate against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Kobbie Mainoo, who has been speculatively linked with a January departure from United, remained the sole academy product in the squad. If Mainoo departs United, this impressive streak could be in jeopardy.

Yet, if Lacey or another academy prospect is handed a chance by Amorim, the achievement will persist.