Manchester United

Manchester United wonderkid trains with first team ahead of Bournemouth clash

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 10 April 2024

Man United wonderkid trains with first team ahead of Bournemouth clash

Sixteen-year-old forward Shea Lacey trains with Manchester United's first team ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash against Bournemouth.

Shea Lacey trained with Manchester United's first team on Wednesday, with the highly-rated youngster potentially being in Erik ten Hag's thoughts for the closing stages of the 2023-24 campaign.

The attacker made an impressive start to the season in the Under-18s Premier League, scoring twice and registering three assists in five appearances.

However, the 16-year-old has not featured since the end of October due to injury.

Lacey was pictured in training with the senior side on Wednesday, and he revealed his delight at being "back out there" following "a tough six months" due to fitness problems.

Been a tough 6 months good to be back out there 😁 pic.twitter.com/LmyW1jNst4
— Shea lacey (@Shealacey10) April 10, 2024

The versatile attacker has scored five times and registered five assists in 18 appearances for Man United at Under-18s level, while he has netted three times in five outings for England Under-17s.

Lacey has been compared to Manchester City's Phil Foden due to his playing style, and he is regarded as one of the best talents in the Man United youth system.

The Englishman is capable of operating in a number of different positions in the final third of the field, but his best performances have arguably come as a right-sided attacker.

Shea Lacey 👋 pic.twitter.com/YBsYXf8n3Y
— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) April 10, 2024

Will Lacey feature before the end of the season?

Man United currently have a number of injury problems, with nine players potentially being unavailable for Saturday's Premier League clash against Bournemouth.

The fact that Lacey has only just returned from a lengthy lay-off through injury suggests that it will be difficult for him to make his first-team debut before the end of the season.

However, it is likely that the attacker will be involved in the team's preparations for the 2024-25 campaign, and he will be looking to follow the example of Kobbie Mainoo when it comes to making the breakthrough.

Lacey is likely to remain with the Under-18s for the time being, but next season could be monumental for the youngster, as he bids to make the step into the senior side.