Manchester United Under-21s interim boss Adam Lawrence has praised youngster Shea Lacey after the 19-year-old scored in a 3-2 victory over Sunderland on Sunday, securing the team's place in the Premier League 2 play-off quarter-finals.
Lacey netted United's third goal at Leigh Sports Village and also contributed to Jack Fletcher's strike. Lawrence told the Manchester Evening News: 'I thought overall it was a really good performance. He's playing with a lot of maturity. Training with the first-team players is definitely helping him.'
The academy prospect made his senior debut under Ruben Amorim in December and has had two substitute appearances under Darren Fletcher. Lawrence added: 'He looked like a real threat at the top end of the pitch.'
Lawrence also highlighted Lacey's physical development and recovery from minor injuries, crediting the club's medical and sports science staff. 'Sometimes we forget he is a young man going through growth years, but we've seen improvement on and off the pitch,' he said.
Reflecting on the match, Lawrence noted lessons to be learned after United allowed Sunderland back into the game after leading 3-1. 'We need to eradicate those mistakes and see out games properly,' he concluded.
