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Manchester United have already found Jadon Sancho’s replacement – and he’s going to be much better

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Jadon Sancho looks finally set to be departing Manchester United for good before the transfer deadline window strikes shut.

It is believed that United have agreed a deal with Juventus for Sancho, which initially looks like a loan move to Turin – then with an obligation to buy.

It appears that even after Sancho’s reconciliation with Erik ten Hag following last year’s spat – Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos mob are still keen to part ways with the 24-year-old.

With Facundo Pellistri also departing to Panathinaikos, it now looks like the Red Devils are going to be short of a right-winger over the next few seasons – bar Amad Diallo of course.

Could a replacement be signed? Potentially, although there is little need for a winger in the closing hours of the transfer window.

This is partly because of an academy graduate, who is simply destined to be Ten Hag’s newest prodigy and shining light around Old Trafford.

Manchester United Training Session
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images

Shea Lacey is Manchester United’s ready-made Jadon Sancho replacement

When Sancho was bought by Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund for a whopping £73m, Red Devils fans anticipated coming with this hefty price tag would be stunning goals, an abundance of assists and mind-bending trickery.

Sadly, with hindsight in our favour, we know this wasn’t the case. Instead, United saw not even a slither of the dazzling footballing capabilities Sancho showcased in Germany.

However, someone we can hopefully see live up to his previous showings when transitioning to the Manchester United first-team squad could be Shea Lacey.

Despite being just 17 years old, the winger is one of the hottest prospects in the youth setup – and for good reason. He has absolutely torn it up in every age group he’s played in.

Most notably in the under-18s last season, he started off gloriously – that was until his injury which kept him out for the rest of the campaign.

CompetitionGamesGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played
U18 Premier League7232452′
UEFA Youth League3192′
Total 23/24:10242544′

But now Lacey is seemingly back for United this season, and with a severe lack of right-wingers, could we see him breakthrough to the first-team squad?

Shea Lacey could play first-team football this season

As we’ve seen in the last two seasons, Ten Hag has trusted numerous academy graduates to come into the limelight – and most have been a success.

The likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Ethan Wheatley have proven they’re old enough – and good enough, so Lacey could also follow this trend.

Ten Hag Manchester United Academy debuts

Naturally, hell need some time in the academy to shake off the long-standing injury, but we seriously wouldn’t be surprised if Lacey was the next attacking youngster to be trusted into the limelight around Old Trafford.