Shea Lacey

Last updated
Shea Lacey
Personal information
Full name Shea Lacey [1]
Date of birth (2007-04-14) 14 April 2007 (age 18)
Place of birth Liverpool, England [2]
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.67 m) [3]
Position(s)
Team information
Current team
Manchester United
Number 61
Youth career
Manchester United
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2025– Manchester United 1 (0)
International career
2022 England U15 4 (2)
2022–2023 England U16 10 (2)
2023 England U17 5 (3)
2025– England U20 2 (1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 18:40, 21 December 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 15:33, 15 November 2025 (UTC)

Shea Lacey (born 14 April 2007) is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger or attacking midfielder for Manchester United.

Contents

Early life

Lacey was born in Liverpool, and is the younger brother of fellow footballers Paddy and Luis Lacey, and also has a older sister, Lauren. He has a nephew by older brother Paddy, called Patrick. [4] Lacey is of Irish descent. [5] Lacey's brothers support Liverpool F.C., but he is a lifelong Manchester United fan. He started playing football at the age of three, and also had an interest in boxing as a child. [4]

Club career

After his brother Paddy had rejected Manchester United in favour of Liverpool, their father decided that Luis and Shea would join the Manchester United academy due to its facilities and development opportunities being, in his opinion, of a better standard. [4]

Lacey's impressive performances at youth level led to him being called up to the Manchester United under-18 side, making his debut at the age of 15. [4] He also featured at the REWE Junior Cup in Gottingen, Germany, as well as a number of other international youth tournaments. [6] [7] He scored his first goal at under-18 level in a 3–3 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers. [4]

He made his debut for the Manchester United under-21 side in a friendly against Dutch side Feyenoord in March 2023. [8]

Lacey signed his first professional contract with United at the age of 17 in April 2024. [9]

He was named in a first-team matchday squad for the first time on 24 November 2025, for a Premier League match against Everton. [10] On 21 December 2025, Lacey made his debut for Manchester United as an 85th-minute substitute for Leny Yoro in a 2–1 loss to Aston Villa in the Premier League. [11]

International career

Lacey is eligible to represent England or Ireland at international level. [12] He has played youth international football for England at under-15, under-16, under-17 and under-20 levels. [13]

On 6 September 2023, Lacey made his England under-17 debut, providing two assists for England in a 3–2 defeat to Portugal at the Pinatar Arena. [14]

On 10 October 2025, Lacey made his England under-20 debut during a 1–0 defeat to Switzerland at St. George's Park. [15]

Style of play

Comfortable playing in a number of positions, Lacey has been utilised at right-wing for Manchester United's under-18 side, but can also play as an attacking midfielder. [4] He is left-footed, and he is described as a free kick specialist. [16]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 21 December 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester United U21 2025–26 [17] 3 [a] 131
Manchester United 2025–26 [17] Premier League 10000010
Career total1000003141
  1. Appearances in EFL Trophy

References

  1. "2025/26 Premier League squad lists". premierleague.com. 12 September 2025. Retrieved 25 December 2025.
  2. https://www.manutd.com/en/players-and-staff/detail/shea-lacey
  3. worldfootball.net
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Railston, Steven (4 March 2023). "'I rejected Manchester United Class of 2011 for Liverpool ... went to prison and became a professional boxer'". manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  5. Connaughton, Gary (January 11, 2024). "The Most Exciting Irish Prospect At Every Premier League Club". Balls.ie.
  6. Flintham, Jack (7 January 2023). "'Natural baller' - Manchester United fans go wild for academy youngster Shea Lacey's stunning solo goal". manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  7. Gordon, Charlie (8 January 2023). "Man Utd have 'scouse Lionel Messi' on their books who is younger brother of pro boxer". express.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  8. Murphy, Colm (12 March 2023). "Shea Lacey being guided by brother Paddy's past regrets". thepeoplesperson.com. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  9. "Manchester United youngster Shea Lacey signs first professional contract". manchestereveningnews.co.uk. 15 April 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2025.
  10. "Manchester United teenager Shea Lacey in first matchday squad for Everton game". nytimes.com/athletic. 24 November 2025. Retrieved 25 December 2025.
  11. "Morgan Rogers double sees Aston Villa edge past Manchester United: Live updates and reaction". The Athletic. The New York Times . 21 December 2025. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  12. "18-year-old Man Utd prospect, eligible for Ireland and an ex-Liverpool season-ticket holder, called up to England training". sportsjoe.ie. 8 October 2025. Retrieved 25 December 2025.
  13. "Shea Lacey Statistics International Matches". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 25 December 2025.
  14. "Report: England MU17s 2-3 Portugal". EnglandFootball.com. September 6, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  15. Sulch, Duncan-Lee (10 October 2025). "Report: England MU20s 0-1 Switzerland". EnglandFootball.com. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  16. Lewis, Arnold (31 July 2022). "Who is Shea Lacey: The prodigy from Manchester United's youth team causing shockwaves with his magic left foot..." foottheball.com. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  17. 1 2 "Games played by Shea Lacey in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 December 2025.