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The Manchester United academy has secured the future of another academy jewel.
This year has been tough for the senior team but the academy has been a beacon of shining light, particularly the U18s.
Now, Shea Lacey, one of the top prospects in the academy, has committed his future to Old Trafford.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Lacey has signed a five-year deal at Manchester United that takes him through to 2029.
🔴✨ Shea Lacey has signed his first pro deal at Manchester United, five year contract. pic.twitter.com/izOEa6dAPi
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 15, 2024
The deal, his first professional contract, was long considered a matter of when, and not if, as the teenager had shown a lot of promise for the youth sides.
As a left-footed silky attacking player, his performances for the youth sides had recently seen him awarded a training session with the first team.
Lacey is a slight but tricky attacking player who holds great prowess at set-pieces and exudes extreme confidence on the ball, particularly in close quarters.
Alongside Amir Ibragimov, he is considered to be the finest prospect at the United academy currently after the current U18s class.
The likes of Bendito Mantato, Lacey, and Ibragimov have ensured that Adam Lawrence’s precocious U18s group’s success is set to continue in the future.
They are currently leading the U18s Premier League and although Lacey has only had a small part to play in that campaign due to injury, his recent return should see him get more minutes.
There is a chance that he is handed his senior debut, at least in an unofficial capacity when United travel for their pre-season tour in the summer.
Just like Kobbie Mainoo did last summer, Lacey could be the find of the next preseason and continue the proud tradition of the academy supplying a player to the first team almost every year.
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