There are several Manchester United academy stars in contention to start the final Premier League game of the season against Brighton.
Manchester United’s 2025/26 campaign concludes on Sunday with a trip to Brighton after securing third place in the Premier League, as well as Champions League qualification.
That involved a significant upturn in results since January, when Michael Carrick was appointed interim head coach. Five months on from his return to Old Trafford, Carrick has been given the job permanently, after hinting that some young prospects could make an appearance against Brighton.
United fans on TalkingPoints have been discussing which academy player is most deserving of a start under Carrick in the last game of the season.
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Man Utd fans eager to see Shea Lacey start against Brighton
Via TalkingPoints, over 200 fans voted for one young player they want to see start after travelling to Brighton.
Shea Lacey, who graduated from the United academy earlier this season, earned 54% of the vote, crowning him as a favourite to get the nod from Carrick.
Despite making three senior appearances for United this season and getting sent off last time out against Brighton, Lacey has yet to feature under Carrick.
One fan wrote: “That would definitely be Lacey, with Bryan likely to continue in forward role due to Sesko’s injury and Amad looking or struggling a little bit since returning from AFCON. Then I think this would be the right moment for the gaffer to unleash Lacey from the right wing because boy has got all the attributes to make the position his own with time.”
In response to that comment, another Red wrote: “Amad and Mbeumo haven’t deserved to start for weeks, so Lacey should definitely start and I think he will! He can make good on his red vs Brighton in January.”
Another fan in favour of Lacey starting said: “Shea Lacey is a real shout, especially as it’s a foundation for him to play a bit more on the pre-season tour.”
Chido Obi picked up 18% of the vote, while 16% of the votes cast went to highly-rated midfielder Jim Thwaites.
There is also a desire to see Thwaites play in midfield after Casemiro was ruled out of the game, having made his final appearance for United.
“Thwaites intrigues me,” another fan wrote, before adding: “Get him on the pitch Sunday. Obi should get minutes with Sesko injured. Kukonki at left-back maybe? Lacey’s probably most likely to start.”
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Unlike Godwill Kukonki, Obi, Lacey, and Tyler Fletcher, Thwaites has yet to make his senior debut for United.
After impressing in Darren Fletcher’s under-18 side this season, Thwaites has earned comparisons to David Beckham due to his free-kick technique and range of passing.
It would be a huge milestone for Thwaites if he were to make his debut for United this weekend. There are many reasons to believe he is the type of midfielder Carrick will be keen to develop and work with in the coming years.
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