Incredible Man United academy wonderkid scouts are going crazy for is ready for the first team

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Manchester United continue to splash the cash on superstars for their first team, but their conveyor belt of academy talent is rumbling on in the background.

United’s U21s have enjoyed a perfect start to the new season, winning all four of their opening Premier League 2 matches and beating rivals Manchester City and Liverpool back-to-back.

Ruben Amorim is known to keep a very close eye on the best prospects at Carrington, and one youngster has impressed him enough to have been called up for training with the senior squad.

That very same teenage sensation stole the show again at the weekend as Man United came from behind to defeat Liverpool, courtesy of goals from Chido Obi and Jaydan Kamason.

It is now just a matter of time before he is promoted to the first team for good.

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Shea Lacey is good enough to play for Man United’s senior side

Right-winger Shea Lacey was superb against Liverpool, and it was no surprise to learn that a horde of scouts had flocked to watch him in action.

Indeed, journalist Nathan Salt revealed that there was a mass exodus of talent spotters after Lacey was withdrawn in the 77th minute of the game.

Lacey played a brilliant pass to Tyler Fletcher in the build-up to Obi’s equaliser and he was devilish again down his flank, looking to take on his man and cause havoc at every possible opportunity.

He has a low centre of gravity and is tricky to handle, and he has already gained a reputation for being one of the brightest youth prospects in world football.

United have rightly brought him in to train with the first-team, but protecting Lacey from eye-popping headlines and the glare of 70,000 supporters is, of course, the right move.

But Lacey is ready to make an impact at the top level right now, and Amorim, whose side looks devoid of creativity and flair, is crying out for a player of the teenager’s profile.

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Shea Lacey already known worldwide, Man United coach says

Lacey is among a group of fledglings who have trained regularly in the senior set-up, and he will look to follow in the footsteps of some of the best-ever United academy graduates.

He took part in first-team sessions at the tender age of 16, before he had even signed his first professional contract in April 2024, and has represented England up to U17 level.

However, United’s U21 coach Travis Binnion believes patience is crucial in Lacey’s development.

“Everybody in the world knows about Shea Lacey,” said Binnion. “He needs to be patient with himself and everyone else needs to be patient with him because there is still loads to come tactically, physically and mentally.

“We are still managing him physically. If he can stay on the pitch and stay training, everyone thinks he could be a top player.”

Keeping him out of the spotlight would be a waste of his talent, and Lacey is deserving of his big first-team introduction in the coming months, if not weeks.