Shay Lacey “gave his all” in Manchester United’s training session and impressed manager Ruben Amorim following a behind-the-scenes managerial change.
Amorim has enjoyed a resurgence so far this season, with the likes of Amad Diallo and Lenny Yolo emerging as regulars in the starting XI, alongside Casemiro in a starting XI that combines youth and experience.
United have won three games on the spin in the Premier League, with the summer signings particularly impressive and Brian Mbeumo scoring twice in the last game against Brighton & Hove Albion, so it looks like the manager has found the right balance at the moment.
It may be difficult for other forwards to force their way into the race for a starting spot, given that Matheus Cunha is also off the mark, but the youngster is starting to impress in first-team training…
Lacey impresses Amorim in Manchester United training session
GiveMeSport reports that Amorim has made behind-the-scenes changes to introduce more youth players into first-team training, with the manager keen to restore links between the academy and the first team.
The 40-year-old wants his young players to strive for a place in the first team and 18-year-old winger Lacey has made a good impression on staff and team-mates, a source said: “He’s been smashing it. He’s fearless, he’s creative, he’s always trying to make things happen. He’s really turning heads.”
Amorim has been keeping a personal eye on the starlet and has a feeling he could be introduced to the match-day squad before the end of the season if he maintains his current standards.
The development of youth players is in United’s DNA, with the ’92s’ famously playing a major role in Man United’s dominance of English football during the Sir Alex Ferguson era.
So it’s always good to see young players coming up through the ranks, and the Liverpool-born winger is highly rated by scout Jacek Kulig, who singled out the Englishman for praise after making his debut for the Three Lions Under-17s.
As well as performing well in first-team training, Lacey has also made a strong start to the season in Premier League 2, scoring two goals and providing one assist in his opening four games.
With Mbeumo and Cunha so impressive, it may be difficult for the England U20 international to break into the starting XI in the Premier League, but it would be good to see him do well in the FA Cup later this season.