Many cannot understand why Shea Lacey has not featured in the last four Manchester United games.
The last time the academy graduate played, he produced an eye-opening performance against Leeds. He received the ball with his back to goal, turned sharply, and carved out just enough ****** e to whip a composed left-footed strike past the Brighton defenders and goalkeeper, breaking the deadlock.
United may have lost that game and been knocked out of the Carabao Cup, but Lacey's performance, crowned by a beauty of a goal, should have strengthened his case for starts and more minutes. Instead, Michael Carrick has rewarded that display by gluing him to the bench.
That has been baffling. In every game since, United have been crying out for a goal, a spark, or something different from the bench. Yet Carrick has ignored him while the team struggles to score, managing only three goals despite creating plenty of chances.
One of JJ Gabriel's biggest concerns, and his reason for wanting out, is that he is not being guaranteed the game time he believes he deserves. Would the Lacey treatment give him, or any other academy star, hope of a key role under Carrick?

#goal #lacey