Ruben Amorim must be reeling from his side’s defeat off the pitch against Man City in the chase for Antoine Semenyo, but he already has a potentially much better alternative in his ranks.
Man Utd were willing to go to remarkable lengths to secure Antoine Semenyo’s signature, from casting aside their midfield priority to changing the system altogether.
Combine that with Ruben Amorim openly calling him “special” ahead of the meeting at Old Trafford, and it’s clear that he was a chief target for the club.
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However, now that he has not joined, it could end up being a big break for a Semenyo alternative already at the club, whose minutes could have been eaten into had this deal been successful.
Shea Lacey is Man Utd’s Antoine Semenyo alternative
It seems quite a big compliment to call Shea Lacey an alternative to Semenyo when he hasn’t even played one half of senior football, but the larger narrative is clear.
Lacey is the player who has excited the coaches at Carrington the most, and a bigger role for him was expected with AFCON departures.
It’s not a coincidence that Lacey made his senior debut in the first game after the players left for AFCON, and did so when Amorim tweaked his system.
It’s quite clear that Amorim changed the system to make his right-sided player much more advanced, playing close to the right No. 10, and Shea Lacey is perfect for it.
His close control dribbling and ability to manufacture a shot in tight spaces set him apart at the youth level, and he already showed that ability against Villa.
Semenyo’s ability to beat people off the dribble is similar to Lacey’s, but the former is much more explosive, which Lacey needs to add to his game.
However, in the short-term, Semenyo’s arrival in January would have eaten into Lacey’s minutes, which are now set to expand.
If Lacey can take this big break afforded to him due to Semenyo choosing Man Utd, the club could end up benefiting in a way they didn’t think was possible.
Lacey can be better than Semenyo if handled right
Youth development is unpredictable for the best of eyes in the game, but Lacey’s game has long been marked as special for those who have seen him come through.
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As exciting as Semenyo’s signing was, United need to think more youth-focused right now, particularly due to their financial predicament.
The likes of Barcelona and Chelsea stumbled upon a golden generation via the academy when their hands were tied in the first-team recruitment department.
There’s no reason why United can’t be the same, since their players regularly dominate the competition at the youth level.
Lacey has been the crown jewel of that domination for a while now, with only injuries holding him back until now, when he’s made his senior debut.
The temptation of using a tried-and-tested player like Semenyo is enticing, but with a bit more patience, as Man Utd fans have given Amorim, players like Lacey can exceed those levels.
That will be much sweeter in the future, and United will end up counting their blessings that Semenyo didn’t choose a move to Old Trafford instead.
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