Academy debuts haven’t been the priority for Ruben Amorim so far this season as he has come to grips with the pressure at Man Utd, but that could be about to change in a big way.
Ruben Amorim recently fielded a lot of questions about the academy, especially as the festive fixture list will necessitate rotation, along with the impending AFCON departure of three players.
Amorim has already stressed that he will look to the academy to help the first team, after making it clear that no token debuts will be given.
Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis.
The first debut this season from the academy could now go to a player who was once picked out by Erik ten Hag for a one-to-one meeting.
Photo by Manchester United/Manchester UnitedShea Lacey close to Man Utd debut
In Amad and Bryan Mbeumo, Amorim will lose two nifty and slick left-footed attackers for a month when AFCON rolls around.
It is increasingly looking like he has identified two wonderkids of a similar profile to compensate for their departure by promoting Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey.
Lacey has long been a name spoken about in excited tones at Carrington, with only his injury worries holding him back.
Are you excited for World Cup 2026 in the USA?
However, in his recent comeback, he seems to have put those behind him, and after some irresistible performances for the U21s and impressive training displays, he’s knocking on the door.
It would be poetic if this season’s first academy debutant is Lacey, because he was a player identified by Erik ten Hag as well, for having huge potential.
The Daily Mail reported back in October that Lacey was among the special few from the academy who were selected by Ten Hag for a one-to-one meeting when he took charge.
For all his faults at Old Trafford, Ten Hag’s identification and handling of youngsters can’t be faulted, and now that Amorim has reached the same conclusion about Lacey, it’s hard not to get excited.
Lacey’s breakthrough can open the floodgates
One can’t help but think that Amorim has been burned by giving too many minutes to youngsters in a less-than-ideal scenario last season.
He has already spoken with brutal honesty about Chido Obi and how he was thrown into the deep end before he was ready, and the same goes for the likes of Ayden Heaven, who has seen his minutes reduced.
That nightmare of last season is keeping Amorim from giving youngsters more minutes, but that can change if Lacey takes his chance.
Amorim has stressed the importance of deserving the minutes, so if Lacey proves to the Man Utd manager that he’s ready for this chance, it will pave the way for more youngsters.
One must not forget that Amorim was a huge champion of youth at Sporting. At United, he has had a poor first experience.
Lacey can start putting that right.