Shea Lacey officially wins first 2026/27 Manchester United award

Manchester United are a club that places great importance on its homegrown players.

Ahead of the 2026/27 season, Shea Lacey was a player heavily tipped to have a breakout campaign.

The 19-year-old made four appearances in his maiden first-team season in 2025/26, but never got a chance to start from the off for the Red Devils.

Just a handful of games into the new campaign, Lacey has already got his opportunity.

Michael Carrick handed him his first start for the club in the EFL Cup against Brighton and Hove Albion, a club Lacey was sent off against in a repeat fixture in the 2025/26 FA Cup.

This time the headlines were all about the prospect’s dazzling performance, in which he netted his first goal for the club. The 19-year-old emulated Marcus Rashford by becoming the first teenager to score on his first start for Manchester United since his teammate did so in February 2016.

Lacey cut inside with an already trademark left-footed effort that surprised Seagulls keeper Jason Steele with the reverse nature of the strike.

It was an excellent goal – and has seen Lacey rewarded, as he’s been handed United’s Goal of the Month Award for September 2026, according to the club’s official website.

Manchester United have revealed that Lacey’s goal was a clear winner in the polls. While the Red Devils ended up losing the game despite heading in at half-time two goals up, the second-half performance did not take away the wonderful effort the future star put in.

Now the attention for Shea Lacey will be in putting in performances just as good and to win a place on the right-hand side of the team. With Bryan Mbuemo and Amad Diallo battling for the spot too, it’s potentially the strongest individual area of Manchester United’s squad.

Michael Carrick made the decision to give Lacey a good chance this season, rather than sending him on a development loan, and it’s proving the right call so far.