Michael Carrick praised the impact Shea Lacey had in Manchester United's Champions League comeback against Roma and said the teenager plays with a "glint in his eye".
Lacey came off the bench with 15 minutes remaining and United 2-1 down and facing a 10th successive game without a win, but delivered two assists for Matheus Cunha on an unforgettable evening at Old Trafford.
Lacey's Pivotal Cameo
The second was a superb pass that freed the Brazilian to fire in a shot off the post, and while Cunha's wild-eyed second-half performance will dominate the headlines, Lacey played just as pivotal a role in the comeback with his stylish cameo.
It was only Lacey's third outing since scoring against Brighton in the Carabao Cup in September and although he is still waiting for a second start for the club, his display against Roma impressed Carrick.
Carrick's Praise for the Teenager
"Not going too over the top, but at the same time absolutely delighted for Shea," he said. "We love him to bits. He's a great young man, he's desperate to do well, he's got great ability. So in terms of coming inside and finding the pass, that's not surprising.
"He's got that little glint in his eye, he plays with a bit of mischief, if you like, so he's always looking to have that. But I was just as happy seeing him defending as a right-back when we needed that in the moments when as a rounded footballer, you've got to be able to do that.
"So I was just as pleased seeing him do that in the defensive side, and seeing younger players take the opportunity. I think he gave everybody a bit of a lift coming on the pitch, and it was fantastic to see, and he made the most of what he had tonight."
Cunha's Decisive Contribution
Cunha won the penalty which got the comeback started, then scored twice in the final seven minutes, as well as picking up two bookings in that time, and Carrick revealed the half-time tactical tweak that got him into more dangerous areas.
"Matheus can do those things, he's got those moments," said Carrick. "We put him inside, we swapped him with Bryan at half-time to try and get him in the middle of the pitch, try and give us a little bit of different shape, and put him in the centre of the pitch, and he found himself in good positions.
"Disappointed with how it finished, but again just shows how much he cares and willing to do, and when he's in that frame of mind, he's in that mood and he plays like that, that's what we want from him."
