SHEA LACEY appeared to aim a cryptic swipe at Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel after the 15-year-old asked to leave Old Trafford.
The highly-rated winger posted a picture of himself wearing United colours on X on Tuesday night alongside a simple red heart emoji.
Shea Lacey seemed keen to prove his loyalty to United Credit: Reuters
JJ Gabriel wants to leave United Credit: Getty
Lacey’s seemingly innocuous post caught the eye because it came just hours after news broke that Gabriel and his representatives had formally requested for United to cancel his registration.
And the timing prompted suggestions Lacey was making a subtle show of loyalty to the club as uncertainty swirls around the future of one of Carrington’s brightest prospects.
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Lacey then went on to start United’s Carabao Cup game against Brighton.
Gabriel has become one of the most talked-about youngsters in English football after a spectacular rise through United’s academy, earning the nickname “Kid Messi” for his dazzling ability.
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The 15-year-old enjoyed a stunning campaign last season, scoring 26 goals in 26 appearances across United’s youth sides and becoming the youngest winner of the club’s prestigious Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award.
Gabriel has continued to impress this term, including hitting a hat-trick on his Uefa Youth League debut, and has also spent time training with United’s senior squad.
But his future at Old Trafford has now been plunged into doubt after his camp asked for his registration to be terminated, amid concerns surrounding his pathway into senior football.
United remain keen to keep the teenager.
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Lacey knows all about making the journey from Carrington towards the first team.
The Liverpool-born attacker has been regarded as one of United’s leading academy prospects for years despite having his progress disrupted by injuries.
The England youth international made his senior United debut last season and has continued to push for greater first-team involvement.
