Manchester United's rising star Shea Lacey has delivered a perfect response to his recent experiences with the England senior team, marking his growing reputation with a goal for the Under-20s.
Lacey's Impact for England U20s
The 18-year-old midfielder came off the bench in the 60th minute against Japan in Doncaster and made an immediate impact. Lacey opened the scoring with a precise strike from the edge of the box, marking his first goal for the England U20s since his initial call-up last month.
Despite his decisive contribution, Japan managed to claw back a draw with a last-minute goal, denying England U20s coach Ben Futcher a victory.
Recognition from the England Setup
Lacey's performances have not gone unnoticed within the Football Association. During the October international break, England manager Thomas Tuchel gave the teenager the chance to train with the senior squad at St. George's Park.
Under-21s boss Lee Carsley also worked with Lacey this week and shared his impressions with the Daily Mail. "He's been in the pathway a good amount of time now, and he's a player that we rate highly," Carsley said. "You can see he's a good talent. I know he's struggled with injuries in the past, which has probably held back his development, but I think it's so important we don't rush these young players."
Manchester United's Careful Development Plan
United view Lacey as a genuine first-team prospect and have implemented a careful management plan for his development. The club monitored his playing time closely last season to prevent recurring minor fitness issues.
United's U21s coach Travis Binnion spoke to the Manchester Evening News in September about managing expectations. "Everybody in the world knows about Shea Lacey," Binnion said. "He needs a little bit of fortune, he needs to be patient with himself, and everybody else needs to be really patient with him. Because of time lost with Shea, he still has lots to come tactically, physically and mentally."
Binnion added: "Everybody can see - you have to be blind not to see - the talent he's got. We're still managing him physically because if he can stay on the pitch and can train every day, I think everyone thinks he could be a top, top player."
Under-20s coach Ben Futcher emphasised the value of Lacey's experience training with the seniors, noting it shows young players "how difficult it is and how good those seniors are." Futcher expressed confidence that Manchester United have a good plan for the talented midfielder, hoping he can stay injury-free and fulfil his considerable potential.
Academy observers have been buzzing about Lacey's abilities for some time, with some drawing comparisons to Manchester City's Phil Foden. Like Foden, Lacey's future may ultimately lie in an attacking midfield role as he continues his development at one of England's most prestigious clubs.
