Man Utd’s ‘answer to Lionel Messi’ set to sign first professional contract with the club in weeks
MANCHESTER UNITED wonderkid Shea Lacey is set to sign his first professional contract in a few weeks.
Dubbed by fans as the club’s next Lionel Messi, the 16-year-old winger is one of the most exciting talents in the Red Devils academy.
Lacey signed a scholarship deal at the club plus agreed to sign a professional contract when he turns 17 and his birthday is now just weeks away.
The youngster has drawn comparisons to Phil Foden but has been limited to eight appearances this term due to an injury.
There had been major interest from United’s rivals in England and Europe to sign Lacey before he penned the deal with the Red Devils in August 2023.
Lacey’s new contract will be announced after he turns 17 on April 14 to recognise his progression through the club’s academy.
The Merseyside-born teen comes from a family of Liverpool fans but the youngster is a United supporter and is a massive Messi fan.
In the last few years, footage of Lacey playing for United’s academy has gone viral on social media.
His performance last season against Wolves stunned fans and his brilliant strike had them refering to him as “Man Utd’s answer to Lionel Messi”.
This season Lacey played three times in the U19’s UEFA Youth League competition before he got injured in the autumn.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER
He came on for the last 30 minutes against Galatasaray with the game at 0-0 and helped them to a 3-0 win, assisting one for Omari Forson and nearly scoring with a free-kick himself.
Lacey will become the latest academy star to sign his first professional contract after defender Harry Amass.
Amass, 17, Bendito Mantato, 16, and Amir Ibragimov, 15, have all had a chance to train in the senior team and now Lacey will follow.