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Manchester United managed to scrape past Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-finals last weekend to make it back-to-back FA Cup finals under the stewardship of Erik ten Hag.
However, relinquishing a three-goal lead against a team from the Championship and eventually requiring penalties to make the summit clash was frowned upon by many, much to the disgust of the Dutchman.
But whatever the manager says will not change the fact that the current campaign has been a major disappointment with the Red Devils crashing out of Europe at the first time of asking while being on course to record their worst-ever finish in the history of the Premier League.
The only silver lining this season has been the emergence of academy graduates Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo with both looking like superstars-in-the-making.
The Academy has come up with all the answers
The Argentine has notched nine goals and four assists this season, and is the third-highest goalscorer in the squad at the age of 19.
As for the Englishman, he has netted thrice, all three of them being memorable strikes while playing with a level of maturity in midfield not seen from someone so young. He is on course to play for the Three Lions in the upcoming European Championships.
Harry Amass and Shea Lacey with the U18 Premier League Cup last night.
Our next two breakthrough youngsters 🌟🌟❤️ pic.twitter.com/I3s6FlUYTr
— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) April 24, 2024
The famed United academy has come up with answers for the manager when many established names have failed with Willy Kambwala stepping up in defence due to the injury crisis prevalent at the club while the likes of Omari Forson, and Dan Gore both made their first-team debuts this term.
More could be on the way if The Sun are to be believed. Shea Lacey, considered among the brightest talents to emerge from Carrington, could be about to earn a first team debut before the season concludes.
Dubbed as “United’s very own Lionel Messi“, the versatile winger recently signed his first professional contract with the club and more surprises are on its way.
The United matchday bench has been made up of academy youngsters like Harry Amass, Habeeb Ogunneye and debut number 250 is on the horizon.
Lacey’s first-team debut on the cards
“Top kid Shea Lacey is set to get a game at Manchester United by the end of the season. Winger Lacey has been training with the first team after an injury caused by a growth spurt and is pencilled in for a debut in the run-in,” the report stated.
The 17-year-old has made 10 appearances this season for the U18s and U19s combined, scoring twice and providing four assists as the United U18s have run rampant, clinching a league and cup double.
He is yet to make a matchday squad but has been training consistently with the first team. Games against bottom dwellers Sheffield United and Burnley are up next and ideally, those would have presented the best chances of a debut.
But following their capitulation against Coventry City on Sunday, United can ill-afford to take anything for granted and need to win all three points while also performing to an acceptable level.
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