BRUNO FERNANDES views Shea Lacey as Manchester United’s next breakout star.
The Old Trafford skipper praised 19-year-old Lacey, having previously coached him at Under-14 level while working toward his coaching badges.
Juan Mata and Bruno Fernandes coaching the Man Utd u14s Credit: Getty
Shea Lacey has been tipped for a huge impact in the Man Utd squad this season Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Lacey has been in and around the first team since the start of last season and was brought on ahead of Joshua Zirkzee during United’s 2-0 defeat at Hull City on Saturday.
Quizzed on the next prodigy to break through from United’s famous academy, Fernandes told Men In Blazers: “Shea came with a different mentality this season in terms of playing off the ball—it’s been great. It was one of the first things I said to him when I got back.
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“Because I had to watch the first three pre-season friendlies and he was playing in the position I play, where it demands a lot of running and emotional intelligence to be covering spaces and helping the ones in front.
“And he did that very well. His technical ability was never in doubt, he is an exceptional player. He has some very good abilities. I am always joking with him because I coached him during my badges when he was 14.
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“I was basically his manager for one day, me and Juan Mata. I tell him he is much better now than when he was 14. He’s much more mature, he’s doing very well. He is always on it in training and that is something they all need to do.”
Incidentally, former United midfielder Mata presented close friend Fernandes with the PFA Player of the Season award at Manchester Opera House on Tuesday night.
But Fernandes also aired caution around fast-tracking academy players too early.
He added: “You’ve spoken about Lacey and Harry Amass. We also have Tyler and Jack Fletcher. We have a lot of young players with potential but we cannot burn them out straight away.
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“We need to give them time. They need to play, they will only become good enough if they get minutes, but at the same time our squad is very strong and they need to earn their place in the squad.”
The Fletcher twins stepped back down and starred in the Under-21s 5-0 victory over Ipswich Town on Monday night.
Dad Darren, who is United’s Under-18 lead coach, was in the crowd with first team boss Michael Carrick at Leigh Sports Village.
