![\"England](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GettyImages-2246737989.jpg\")
\n\t\tShea Lacey put England Under-20s ahead against Japan on Friday (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tShea Lacey put England Under-20s ahead against Japan on Friday (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
England Under-20s manager Ben Futcher has hailed \u2018top player\u2019 Shea Lacey after the Manchester United<\/a> prospect scored in a 1-1 draw with Japan on Friday.<\/p>\n The 18-year-old is yet to make his Red Devils debut but fans are getting very excited about the Liverpool<\/a> born talent.<\/p>\n The teenager, who plays on the wing or in a no.10 position, trained with the senior England side last month, getting a taste of what he hopes is to come.<\/p>\n Lacey is impressing the international set-up in the youth ranks, with Futcher very pleased with what he saw from him in Doncaster on Friday night.<\/p>\n \u2018Shea\u2019s a top player,\u2019 said Futcher. \u2018It\u2019s been great to work with him.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tYour ultimate guide to the football season\t\t\t<\/p>\n Metro’s football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday \u2013 sign up<\/a>, it’s an open goal.<\/p>\n \u2018We thought he could have an impact tonight. He\u2019s had a really good week \u2013 you saw the quality when he came on. Everyone\u2019s been impressed with him.\u2019<\/p>\n Lacey also moved up to train with Lee Carsley\u2019s Under-21s side during this international break as he continues to make a big impression.<\/p>\n \t\t Speaking after the draw with Japan, the teenager said: \u2018I thought it was a good game. Japan<\/a> are a good team, but we took our chance when we got it and let it slip at the end, but we\u2019re just learning what to take from it.<\/p>\n \u2018I got a chance just before it [the goal], but I thought I took my chance well when I came on.<\/p>\n On also working with Carsley, he added: \u2018It\u2019s good to join him. Some of the players are top players playing in the top leagues, playing every week. Hopefully you want to get the call-up permanently and stay around.<\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s good to play with new players and try to click with them.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t Lacey, along with Manchester City<\/a>\u2019s Lakyle Samuel and Chelsea<\/a>\u2019s Harrison Murray-Campbell, had the chance to train with Thomas Tuchel<\/a>\u2019s men ahead of the Wales<\/a> friendly last month.<\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s a good experience for them,\u2019 said Futcher. \u2018It is where they want to get to, so they can feel how difficult it is and how good those seniors are. It is good for them to see it, feel it and be part of it.\u2019<\/p>\n Lacey may have already progressed further if it were not for significant injury setbacks already in his young career<\/a>, but he appears to be over them and now on an exciting path.<\/p>\n \t\t Travis Binnion, Manchester United Under-21 manager, told the Manchester Evening News: \u2018Listen, everybody in the world knows about Shea Lacey. So he needs a little bit of fortune, he needs to be patient with himself and everybody else needs to be really patient with him.<\/p>\n \u2018Everybody can see \u2013 you have to be blind not to see \u2013 the talent he\u2019s got. He\u2019s got lots to do in his game and he knows. <\/p>\n \u2018We\u2019re still managing him physically because if he can stay on the pitch and can train every day, I think everyone thinks he could be a top, top player.\u2019<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"England](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GettyImages-2246737078.jpg\")
\n\t\tLacey has been catching the eye in the England age range ranks (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Lincoln](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GettyImages-2238495719.jpg\")
\n\t\tLacey could be United\u2019s next big star (Picture: Manchester United via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Manchester](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GettyImages-2217356784.jpg\")
\n\t\tLacey has already trained with United\u2019s senior side (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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