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NEXT PHIL FODEN: SHEA LACEY JOINS SQUAD; RUBEN AMORIM STARTS PLAN

Man Utd teenager Shea Lacey is set for his first senior matchday squad call-up against Everton. With Amad & Mbeumo leaving for AFCON, coach Ruben Amorim is turning to the highly-rated 18-year-old academy prodigy.

Next Phil Foden: Shea Lacey Joins Squad; Ruben Amorim Starts Plan
Shea Lacey Joins Squad For Everton Clash

Word is Manchester United might include academy star Shea Lacey in their squad for Monday's game against Everton.

With Amad and Bryan Mbeumo heading to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), coach Ruben Amorim seems eager to give the young player a chance. He might see tonight's match as a good time to start that process. The 18-year-old is seen as a player with a huge amount of potential.

Lacey has impressed fans for the last few years with his great play in the academy. Since the 2022/2023 season, he's been a regular for the Under-18s. This season, he's moved up to the Under-21s, helping them in Premier League 2. He usually plays as a right winger, and his strong left foot lets him cut inside and cause problems for defenders.

That skill could be useful in one of the 'two 10' roles in Amorim's preferred system. But he can also play on the left side or as an attacking midfielder.

With three goals and two assists for the Under-21s this season, Lacey can keep improving and maybe become a regular in the first team. That chance to impress might come soon.

MUFC Academy mentioned on social media that the teenager might be in the squad for Monday's game against Everton. If Amorim picks him, it would be the first time the young player is in the senior team's squad, as he aims to make it into the starting eleven.

With AFCON starting in late December, the coach has less than a month to think about replacements for important players like Amad and Mbeumo. Some thought the January transfer window could bring in new players for those positions, but the club's coach has said he'll look to the academy for support instead.

Amorim said, "It is a worry, but we knew about it." Other players have a chance. We also have the Under-21s.

We need to send a message then, so we will see. It's not ideal because they're important to our team, and our squad isn't big. But our academy is there for these times, so they'll be ready.

It's not clear how big an impact Lacey will have while those key players are gone, but his skill has definitely been noticed. Lee Carsley, who is in charge of the England Under-21s, has been watching the United prospect closely. Lacey has already played for England at the Under-20 level.

The coach spoke highly of the young forward in an interview with The Daily Mail, saying, "He's been in the system for a while now, and we think he's a very good player." It worked out well that we needed someone in that position for our training, and Shea was happy to train with the Under-21s.

You can tell he's talented. I know he's had some injuries, which might have slowed his progress. But I think it's important not to rush young players; let them grow at their own pace. He trained with us for two sessions, and I enjoyed having him.

FORWARD EVOLUTION: ANALYZING MBEUMO’S TRANSITION FROM A RIGHT-WINGER TO A CLINICAL CENTRAL STRIKER

Red Devil revival: Discover why Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville think Bryan Mbeumo is the best signing in the Premier League.

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Jamie Carragher labels Bryan Mbeumo "one of the best" in England

Jamie Carragher can’t say enough good things about Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United’s big signing under Ruben Amorim. In fact, Carragher called Mbeumo “one of the best” in the Premier League this season.

United splashed out over £200 million in Amorim’s last transfer window, bringing in Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, and Senne Lammens. All four have made their mark, especially during the team’s recent hot streak under caretaker boss Michael Carrick, who stepped in after Amorim left last month.

Mbeumo and Cunha have quickly become real threats up front, and Sesko just can’t stop scoring, with six goals in seven games since Amorim’s exit. Lammens, meanwhile, has settled in as United’s new No. 1 after his £18 million move from Royal Antwerp. He looks like a smart bit of business.

The turnaround has been dramatic. United have picked up 16 points out of a possible 18 under Carrick, rocketing into the Champions League spots. This, from a team that finished way down in 15th last season.

Carragher, the Liverpool legend, has loved watching United’s revival, and he keeps coming back to Mbeumo as a standout. On Sky Sports, he said, “Bryan Mbeumo came in as almost a right-winger or a right-sided forward in Amorim’s system, and I was surprised to see him go through the middle. But for me, he’s been one of the best signings in the Premier League this season. He just fits Manchester United.”

He added, “Gary Neville always talks about what a United player should be, and honestly, Mbeumo looks the part. He’s got the power and pace to drive you up the pitch, and he’s clinical too. He’s been fantastic, whether he’s leading the line or out wide.”

Neville himself is a big fan, calling Mbeumo “a really solid signing.” He even suggested Arsenal and Chelsea missed a trick by not snapping him up. On the Stick to Football podcast, Neville said, “Looking at it now, Mbeumo probably would have been better for Chelsea and Arsenal than some of the players they signed. Joao Pedro’s been decent, but Mbeumo would have been a sensation for Arsenal. He’s just a good signing for United. I like him a lot.”

Ian Wright agrees and admitted he was “gutted” Mbeumo didn’t end up at Arsenal. “He always looks dangerous,” Wright said. “Absolutely, he would have made Arsenal stronger.”

United just edged out Everton 1-0 on Monday night and are gearing up to face Crystal Palace next. After the win, Carrick said, “We had to work for it. Credit to Everton; they made it tough and forced us to defend our box a lot. The way we dug in was top class. Keeping a clean sheet is fantastic. We know we can play better, but it’s satisfying to come away from home and get the win.”

GARY NEVILLE SPEAKS OUT: UNITED URGED TO FIND "TOP CLASS" MANAGER DESPITE CARRICK'S SUCCESS

Unbeaten but uncertain! Discover why Gary Neville wants Manchester United to find an elite manager despite Carrick's success.

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Gary Neville wants United to "aim high" for managers

Gary Neville thinks Manchester United needs to look for a new manager, even though Michael Carrick’s done a great job as interim head coach. Since Carrick took over, United haven’t lost in the Premier League. They’ve beaten City, Arsenal, Spurs, and Fulham, and only just drew with West Ham. You can see the team has turned a corner, and plenty of fans want Carrick to get the job full-time.

Still, Neville says United should go after the “best class of manager available.” He’s not ruling Carrick out, especially if the team grabs a Champions League spot, but he wants the club to aim high.

Before the Everton game on Monday, Neville told Sky Sports, “Manchester United have to go out and find another manager now, because you just don’t know how things will play out." When someone like Thomas Tuchel signs with England, it narrows United’s options. But that’s not a bad thing for Michael; his chances aren’t hurt at all. If he gets United into the Champions League, fans will be desperate for him to stay. I love Michael; I really do. But United needs to go for the top managers. They’ve already tried young, inexperienced options with the last two appointments. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was another ex-player, and it just didn’t work. So now, I think they need to play it safe and cut down on risk.”

Neville also shared that he spoke to the club a few weeks back to make his view clear. He told Sky Sports, “I’ve already said where I stand. I’m not going to repeat it every week, but I did speak to the club because journalists always ask them what’s going on. It’s a tough spot for them. There’s a huge push for Carrick, and the more he wins, the stronger that will get, especially if he gets close to Champions League football.

I asked the club where they stand and what they’re telling people. Honestly, their answer was solid. They said they’ve started the process of looking for a new manager, gathering data, reaching out to people, and just getting on with it. That’s what you need. You have to plan.

But they also told me they’re not going to rush. No matter what happens with results – win, lose, or draw – they’re waiting until the end of the season to make a decision. If Michael’s interested in the job at that point, and honestly, I can see him saying no, because he’s that sort of guy always putting the club first, well, then he can put his name forward. Or maybe he’ll decide he’s ready and wants to stay. Either way, they’re handling it the right way.”

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