Amorim can replace Amad & unleash Man Utd teen who wasn’t on bench vs Spurs

Manchester United have struggled under Ruben Amorim so far. The Red Devils have so far been led in 21 matches by their new manager, but have managed to win just ten of those games, losing nine times and drawing two along the way.

There have been some incredibly disappointing defeats in there, too. They include a 2-0 defeat away from home against Wolverhampton Wanderers and a loss by the same scoreline at Old Trafford against Crystal Palace.

There have been some high points, including a win away to Manchester City and a draw at rivals and Premier League leaders Liverpool.

However, they will now be without the man who scored the crucial goals in those games, Amad.

Amad’s impact under Amorim

In a season of huge disappointment for the Red Devils, one of the only good things has been the performances of Amad. The Ivorian forward was described as “unstoppable” after his Derby Day heroics by United legend turned Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville.

Despite a big impact in the tenure of former manager Erik ten Hag, Amad found opportunities sparse under the Dutchman. However, that cannot be said for his time under Amorim. The Portuguese manager seemingly loves the attacker, and has, at times, relied on him to dig his side out of a hole.

In 20 appearances under the former Sporting CP boss, the United number 16 has managed six goals and five assists, with nine of those coming in games where his side won or drew. Amad’s contributions have been massive this season.

So, for United to be without Amad for the rest of the season, is a huge blow. Amorim confirmed last week that the Ivorian damaged his ankle ligaments and will miss the remainder of the campaign.

It leaves the Portuguese manager with the unenviable task of finding an in-house replacement.

Perhaps the answer could lie in United’s ever-productive Carrington academy.

United’s in-house Amad replacement

Sunday afternoon’s 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur was a memorable day for several of United’s academy players. Amorim named eight of them on the bench, bringing Chido Obi onto the pitch for the final throes of the game, for his first-team debut.

However, the solution to his Amad problem may not lie in the players he selected on Sunday afternoon in North London, but in the form of Shea Lacey, an attacker who was not involved against Spurs.

Lacey is an attacking player who is held in high regard and is believed to have a “huge future ahead”, according to football talent scout Jacek Kulig. The youngster has struggled with injuries in the last few months but is finally back to full fitness and playing weekly for United’s academy.

His record for the Red Devils youth side is impressive. He has played 30 times for the under-18s and the under-19s in the UEFA Youth League, scoring five goals and grabbing seven assists in that time.

Just like Amad, Lacey is a left-footed right winger, who excels in the half spaces and has exceptional close control. He is also comfortable cutting inside on his left foot and trying his luck from range, as this strike against Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2023 shows.

The Liverpool-born winger is a player who can have a big impact in a short space of time. His stats on Sofascore from a 26-minute cameo against Galatasaray in the UEFA Youth League last season show this.

In that short time, he created one big chance and won four out of seven ground duels.

Perhaps Lacey is the solution to replacing Amad. He is of a similar profile and excels in the same areas of the pitch as United’s Ivorian winger.

At 17 years of age, he is perhaps too young to be thrown into the deep end and start every week, but opportunities off the bench may be there.

Lacey certainly seems like a player United fans can get excited about. Who knows, maybe a first-team debut isn’t too far out of the picture.

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