Michael Carrick is facing a selection dilemma ahead of Manchester United's Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Sunday, with teenager Shea Lacey pushing for a first start after a standout performance in Tuesday's Champions League comeback win over Roma.
The 19-year-old came off the bench to provide the catalyst for United's revival, with his fearless display on the right wing earning praise from his manager. Carrick noted that Lacey has 'that bit of mischief' in his locker that troubled Roma in the final 15 minutes.
Lacey's Impact Against Roma
Lacey's sharp, perfectly-weighted passing enabled United to get up the pitch with real intent – seldom seen this season. He completed every one of his attempted passes and completed all but one of his duels. Operating in tight spaces just in front of the touchline, his first touches and clever exchanges were on point from the moment he came on, and his pass for Matheus Cunha's winner couldn't have been placed better.
Injuries shelved tentative plans for Lacey to make his debut at 16 under Erik ten Hag in 2023, and it was a tough road back from those issues that threatened to halt his progress. United's former Under-21 manager Travis Binnion said last year: 'Everybody in the world knows about Shea Lacey. So he needs a little bit of fortune, he needs to be patient with himself and everybody else needs to be really patient with him.'
That patience could now be about to pay off. The Liverpool-born talent thumped home a wonderful strike in the Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton but has seen just 31 minutes of action off the bench since.
Amad Diallo's Struggles
It was on the right where Lacey caused damage midweek, with Amad Diallo making way for him after 75 minutes. It had been another disappointing evening for the Ivory Coast international who spurned huge opportunities against Chelsea four days earlier.
Since forcing his way back into the side under Erik ten Hag, Amad has been looked upon as United's most naturally talented winger, but his goal and assist return has fallen woefully short of expectations. He is now approaching one year without a goal, last finding the back of the net in the 4-4 draw with Bournemouth on 15 December. In that time, he has provided two assists – one on the final day of last season against Brighton and the other for Joshua Zirkzee's consolation goal in the 4-1 defeat in Como two weeks ago.
His haul of 14 goals during his campaign with Sunderland in the 2022-23 season is a distant memory. A hat-trick against Southampton in January 2025 helped him to an impressive haul of 11 goals and 10 assists in his first full campaign back in Manchester, but seven goal involvements in 40 appearances since the start of the 2025-26 campaign is not good enough.
Wayne Rooney's Verdict
Wayne Rooney alluded to Amad's problem midweek and made his case for Lacey getting the nod. 'Amad does some really good things, but it's that end product, that is what takes you to the next level,' he told Amazon Prime. 'And the glimpses of what I've seen from Lacey when he has come on…he has got something in there, that little touch and little pass which United needed to get them over the line in this game.'
The win over Roma has shifted a few clouds amid the gloom hanging over Old Trafford, and Sunday's visit of Aston Villa now looks a more inviting environment for Carrick to make the change and put his faith in Lacey – just not at right-back.
