Man Utd U21s played at Carrington on Monday afternoon and Michael Carrick watched the game with his staff.

Lacey scored from a free-kick.(Image: )

Manchester United youngster Shea Lacey scored a free-kick for the Under-21s against Brighton on Monday afternoon in front of the watching Michael Carrick. Lacey was absent from the first-team squad for Sunday’s trip to face Arsenal in the Premier League because Carrick had an almost full-strength squad.

Exciting prospect Lacey started for the U21s in their league game against the Seagulls at Carrington and opened the scoring in the 34th minute, converting a free-kick from the edge of the box. Brighton levelled in the second half to secure a point in Manchester.

Carrick was in attendance to see Lacey find the net with a brilliant free-kick. The United boss was spotted observing from the sidelines alongside the head of United’s academy, Stephen Torpey, and Under-18 manager, Darren Fletcher.

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Carrick and his backroom staff observed some of the Under-16s’ game at Carrington on Saturday, before the first-team travelled to London to face Arsenal at the Emirates.

United’s interim head coach also attended the U21s’ game against Sporting Lisbon, and the U18s’ clash in the FA Youth Cup last week. Carrick believes it’s important to show support for the academy.

Lacey was included in first-team training in the build-up to the Arsenal fixture, but Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee are the only absentees due to injury, meaning the bench was full of senior players.

The 18-year-old Lacey made two pleasing cameos from the bench during Fletcher’s stint as caretaker manager, emerging with credit against Burnley in the Premier League and against Brighton in the FA Cup despite being sent off.

Lacey was introduced to the game with 30 minutes to play. He was shown a yellow card in the 87th minute for a foul and picked up another minutes later for throwing the ball to the ground.

He looked distraught and pulled his shirt over his head as he left the pitch. Fletcher discussed the sending off when he spoke to TNT Sports, and he slammed referee Simon Hooper’s decision to award the first yellow card.

Fletcher said: “Shea Lacey’s yellow card is ridiculous compared to the fouls that we had against us all game which ultimately then the lad makes a mistake and is sent off. For me, it is poor refereeing.”

When asked how Lacey was doing after being sent off, he said: “He’s disappointed because he cares and he understands and he knows he will learn from it. There is no doubt about his talent.

“And it was a steep learning curve today, but we believe in Shea. He’s one of our most exciting young prospects, and I’m sure at Old Trafford he will have a chance to make amends for that in the future.”

Ruben Amorim handed Lacey his senior debut against Aston Villa in December.