Manuel Ugarte is suffering through the lowest point of his career, but he has high hopes for a wonderkid at Man Utd.
The 2026/27 season might have become a write-off for Manuel Ugarte after his latest injury update, turning a bad World Cup into a pure nightmare.
It’s a given that he will end this window, and probably the January one, as a Man Utd player.
This will give him plenty of time to see whether his prediction for a ‘really good’ Man Utd wonderkid comes true or not.
What is a realistic asking price for Manuel Ugarte in 2026?
Will Man Utd have to accept a huge loss on Ugarte?
Manuel Ugarte backs Shea Lacey for greatness
Shea Lacey started to get drip-fed into the Man Utd XI last season, ending the season with an encouraging cameo against Brighton.
The youngster hasn’t let injuries get the better of him and has emerged from every setback a better player than before.
That is exactly the kind of mentality needed to succeed at Old Trafford, and Ugarte, speaking to Man Utd’s official website, backed the wonderkid for greatness.
He said: “Shea Lacey is a really good player. He has personality. That’s really important in the squad. He did really well [last season], but we know that he can do better, and also he can show everyone how he plays.
“Let’s see if he can improve, and he can show himself in the squad.”
Ugarte’s claim about personality is interesting because it shows that Lacey has earned the respect of the Man Utd dressing room due to his returns from injury setbacks.
Next season should be Lacey’s breakout
Lacey has threatened to break out for the senior team for a while now, but has never really done it for a variety of factors.
What are your expectations for Shea Lacey next season?
If he can stay fit surely he gets plenty of minutes…🤔
Injuries stopped him previously, and last season, when he stayed largely fit, United played just 40 games all season.
Next season, United are back in four competitions, and Lacey also needs to prove he has put those injury worries behind him.
If both of these things are taken care of, then the sky is the limit for Lacey because the issue with him has never been about talent or personality.
Next season should be the season of Shea Lacey, and the only thing that can stop that from happening is his own body.
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