Man Utd academy star who endured ultimate low point lands first-team role

Man Utd academy star who endured ultimate low point lands first-team roleManchester United teenager Shea Lacey has enjoyed a rise up the ranks and his under-21s boss admits he's now a first-team player - despite his sending off earlier this seasonCommentsSportSamuel Meade Sports Brand Writer15:44, 03 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesShea Lacey is now regularly training with the Man Utd first-team(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)Manchester United's under-21s boss Adam Lawrence says that Shea Lacey is now considered a first-team player as he continues his rise through the ranks.‌The 18-year-old made his senior debut under Ruben Amorim in December, and has amassed a total of three appearances for the Red Devils. The last of those was a forgettable experience as Lacey was sent-off in an FA Cup loss to Brighton at Old Trafford.‌The teenager was given his marching orders after picking up two bookings. The first was for a foul, before he was shown a second yellow on 89 minutes for furiously throwing the ball. But despite the low point, he remains part of the first-team picture in Manchester.‌Lacey has only been named on the first-team bench once since Michael Carrick took over in January, but that has partly been down to his struggles with injury. He has scored eight goals in nine Premier League 2 appearances this season, and has now recovered from a calf issue, with his under-21s boss admitting he's certainly stepped up.Lawrence said: "Shea is quite a unique case. He's always had an elite technical level. He can do things with the ball which are, without getting too carried away, genuinely first-team level.READ MORE: Jamie Carragher accuses Liverpool fans of 'acting like Man Utd' with unrealistic demandREAD MORE: Casemiro's wife's Roy Keane dig, tears because of Man Utd fans and how he 'annoys' her"But he's been a later developer physically, so players like that need more time and patience. Day-to-...