Man Utd wonderkid Shea Lacey celebrates doing what he has not managed since October 2023

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Manchester United teenager Shea Lacey is off to a promising start to the season for the under-21s, and earning rave reviews.

Shea Lacey made his Manchester United under-18s debut at just 15, and has long been talked up as a future star.

He featured in the 2023/24 under-18s title-winning team, but his impact was limited by a succession of minor injury problems.

Lacey only made 13 academy appearances in 2024/25, and this season he is already cutting into that figure, with four games played so far.

Shea Lacey making progress

Shea Lacey has made a couple of notable steps this season, including making his debut for Manchester United’s under-21 side, in which he provided an assist.

He came off the bench to score a brace for United’s under-21s in a weekend win over Crystal Palace too, showcasing his ability to make an impact at this level.

And in midweek, Lacey was part of a United under-21 team that lost to Lincoln City in the EFL Trophy. It was a disappointing 3-0 defeat, yet for Lacey, the game was memorable.

Lacey played 90 minutes, and this was the first time he had played the full game for the academy teams since October 7 2023, in an under-18s win against Derby.

Last season in 13 appearances, the longest Lacey played was 63 minutes in a game, while he lost large parts of 23/24 due to injury.

Lacey wrote on Instagram: “Not the result we wanted last night. good to get my first 90 minutes back after a frustrating 2 years.”

Shea Lacey impressing behind the scenes

Manchester United’s first team stars have been impressed by Shea Lacey following his recent involvement in training. Harry Maguire is taking him under his wing.

Lacey and Jack Fletcher are said to have made a ‘lasting impression’ on Ruben Amorim’s coaching staff.

Playing 90 minutes was an important step for Lacey, to check it off, and he will now be keen to put a run of them together.

On talent alone he has what it takes to become a special player for United, he just needs to prove his resilience, and this season has already shown some promising signs.