Manchester United’s Shea Lacey is poised to make his mark on the first team in the coming weeks. With Bryan Mbeumo and Amad set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations, and manager Ruben Amorim keen to bolster his attacking line-up, the 18-year-old winger is being tipped to make his senior debut for the club he has supported since childhood. And he was in the squad for the Premier League match against Everton on Monday night due to Matheus Cunha’s injury.

Even before he started vying for a spot in the main squad, Lacey had already amassed a considerable following on social media. His rise through the academy ranks drew significant online attention, with clips of his performances frequently going viral. Lacey, who once outshone Lamine Yamal to clinch a player of the tournament award in his youth, got his first taste of senior football over the summer during a post-season tour of Asia with Amorim’s squad. The England youth international impressed, securing a place in the United pre-season squad, with insiders at the club reportedly thrilled by his progress.

As the new Premier League season kicked off, Lacey returned to the under-21s, where he has since netted three goals and provided two assists in nine games. With Mbeumo and Amad due to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations next month, a senior debut for the young starlet appears imminent.

The Portuguese manager has previously voiced his faith in the teenager, asserting that he’s ready to ‘step up’.

Ahead of the Reds’ showdown with David Moyes’ squad, Amorim was questioned about how he plans to handle the exits of Mbeumo and Amad. He admitted: “I think it is going to be hard, but then, that is the good thing of the experience.

“We lived so many limitations last year. We changed in January and we didn’t bring the players, then we had the injury of Amad for four months, all these things. We are prepared for that. It will be hard for us, but we have different baggage to deal with that.

“Guys like Jack Fletcher, Shea [Lacey], they can step up. We can send, at the same time, a message to everyone here in the Academy that this is the future. But we are going to struggle, and we have to be prepared for that.”

Regarding the academy, Amorim added: “First of all, I’m not preparing the Academy, they are preparing the Academy. We are paying more attention to them, we are talking with them. That is so important to change information about the players, what they need, how they behave.

“To call a kid for the first team, they need to behave really well. This connection is really important. We are trying to do that. We are putting everything in place; nutrition is for the Academy, it starts now. In our club, that is something that should be basic.

“So, all these things we are doing, and they are doing their job. I have more time with them in training, so I’m more confident with them. When we put these kids to play in the Premier League, they will struggle, but they will struggle less, I think. Everyone in the Academy is doing very well in the moment.”

Lacey is represented by the same talent management agency which looks after Wayne Rooney. And, the United legend is more than aware of the teenager’s potential, having called him earlier this year to say: “You’re doing brilliant, keep doing what you’re doing.”

The United prospect was called up to train with England at St. George’s Park by Thomas Tuchel during the international break. When pressed on Lacey’s development, Amorim claimed he’s been delighted with his progress.

“I’m really happy with him, I think he struggled a little bit with injuries,” said the United boss. He did a very good job balancing his body. You can sense he can manage more load during training.

“He has a lot of talent, but when they come here, they can sense the speed is completely different, so they need to spend more time with us to be prepared because our trainings are hard, but Premier League games with pressure are harder. So, they need to be ready.”