Lacey hits fine free-kick in front of Man Utd boss Carrick as injury could open door

Shea Lacey scored a fine free-kick in front of the watching Michael Carrick as he hopes for a chance in the Manchester United first team.

Carrick has said from the start that he believes that the United youth are the bedrock of the club and he has been casting a keen eye on the academy players since becoming interim manager.

Lacey has been given brief chances so far in the first team where he has already shown his considerable potential with a wand of a left foot. And the injury to Patrick Dorgu could increase his chances of playing time.

And in the 1-1 draw with Brighton in Premier League 2 at Carrington he made his mark with a free kick from 25 yards out that he tucked into the left bottom corner.

Not only were there Carrick and Fletcher watching on, but also a number of first team players taking in the game.

They were also cheered on by club captain Bruno Fernandes, who was with fellow team-mates Mason Mount, Joshua Zirkzee, Patrick Dorgu and Toby Collyer.

Kobbie Mainoo is an example of a youth product who has now come to the fore under Carrick. United are keen to resume talks with Mainoo over a new contract after previous negotiations stalled, with his current deal running until 2027 with an option for a further season.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with Kobbie,” head coach Carrick said. “I’ve known him since he was young. I think I started working a little bit when he was 13, 14 years old, when I was kind of going through my badges.

“Listen, I’ve said it before, I think this club needs young players coming through and being the foundation to understand what it means, and not just for the players or the squad, but for the club and for the supporters.

“I think it’s something that we need to grasp and we need to keep building on.

“Kobbie is a prime example. To come through so quickly and have the rapid rise, to play in some unbelievably-big games and impact those big games and such, shows an awful lot of quality in the terms of the character and to be able to handle it.

“I think part of a career is a few ups and downs and sometimes it goes in different trajectories, but I think we’ve seen last week what Kobbie can bring. It was great.”