Man Utd already have a player capable of stepping up to replace Amad Diallo, but he needs to prove one thing first

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Manchester United’s injury woes quadrupled last weekend, with Amad Diallo’s season coming to an end.

Ruben Amorim had a whole week of training last week but it proved not to be beneficial for the head coach with a 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur.

Speaking before the weekend’s clash, Amorim revealed he was without a handful of players, with this injury crisis leading to seven academy players sitting on the bench for the match on Sunday.

It was confirmed that Kobbie Mainoo was out for more than weeks, while additionally, Amorim has seen Amad Diallo’s campaign end after he damaged his ankle ligaments during training.

This leaves Manchester United with a substantial injury list over the weekend, which will only ease slightly in the coming days ahead of Saturday’s outing against Everton.

• Amad Diallo
• Christian Eriksen
• Jonny Evans
• Kobbie Mainoo
• Lisandro Martinez
• Luke Shaw
• Manuel Ugarte
• Mason Mount

Amad’s injury blow is a hard one to take for United, as it leaves Amorim brutally short in an attacking sense. But there are solutions in the academy, including one player not on the bench at the weekend.

• READ MORE: Who is Amad Diallo? Height, Position, Transfer Fee, Salary, Career

Shea Lacey has looked a cut above for the academy since return

Amorim had seven academy players on the bench to face Tottenham Hotspur with Chido Obi making his senior debut as a result. However, given the lack of options, Amorim could yet hand more debuts to players in the front three positions.

Jack Moorhouse looks to be the next most likely considering how excellent he has been at U21 level this season. But the way things are going this season, Shea Lacey could soon be knocking on Amorim’s door.

Lacey returned from a long lay-off recently and hasn’t missed a beat in his three cameo appearances so far.

When Lacey has been brought on, he has instantly looked a level above everyone on the pitch. Lacey’s cameo against Newcastle at the weekend was very impressive as he got past his defender with ease and should have had an assist for Amir Ibragimov.

The development of Lacey has only been hindered by injury and he looks far too good to be stuck at U18 level for the remainder of this season and should very quickly be called into training by Amorim. The loss of Amad has opened a big opportunity for Lacey as he would be perfect for that right No.10 position, especially with no expectations on this team for the remainder of the campaign.

However, as ready as Lacey looks he will need to prove himself in one way first.

READ: Man Utd under-18s top scorers and assists in 2024/25, all results

Lacey needs to stay fit for Manchester United step-up

Every time Lacey has played this season, his class has been evident.

The 17-year-old has been “so evasive and so silky” as Liam Bradford raved this past weekend on MUTV, with his dribbling putting himself and others in goalscoring positions and it is a matter of time until he gets himself back in the contributions column.

But for Lacey to earn the chance to impress Amorim and become the latest United academy graduate, he will need to stay fit and put in a consecutive run of games and performances.

• READ MORE: Who is Man Utd’s Shea Lacey? Age, Position, Stats and more

The past 18 months have been tough for Lacey as he has battled with injury after injury – but there is hope that this is behind him as his growth seems to have stopped which should give him more stability.

When fit, Lacey is United’s best young talent and so it would be inevitable he would make his debut if he keeps himself fit. Even last season before his season-ending blow Erik ten Hag was tipped to be considering a debut for the teenager.

Fingers crossed the wonderkid can step up to the next level at some point and fill the void Amad has left.