Ruben Amorim to Include 'Next Phil Foden' in Squad as AFCON Plan Revealed

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is reportedly set to include a promising young player in his upcoming squads to prepare for Bryan Mbeumo and Amad likely being unavailable for selection during the Africa Cup of Nations.

Both Mbeumo and Amad could be missing for around a month while representing Cameroon and Ivory Coast, respectively, while full-back Noussair Mazraoui will also take part in the tournament, which is set to take place in his native Morocco.

As a result, 18-year-old Liverpudlian Shea Lacey could be handed a chance with the winger having already been named in United’s squad for the Premier League clash against Everton on November 24.

Eighteen-year-old midfielder Jack Fletcher - son of ex-United midfielder Darren - is also included in the squad, as Amorim has already expressed confidence in both teenagers.

Shea Lacey has been compared to Phil Foden (Credit:Getty)

Lacey, who has been struggling with injuries in recent times, has been described as talented by Amorim, having registered three goals and two assists in nine appearances for the Under-21 side this term.

The 2007-born winger has already represented England at youth level, as well as taking part in the pre-season tour of Asia ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Lacey also played against Hong Kong during the post-season tour of China in May.

The youngster has been compared to Manchester City’s Phil Foden due to their impressive ball manipulation and dribbling ability, while also drawing comparisons with fellow Liverpudlian Wayne Rooney, who offered some words of advice to the winger during a FaceTime call around 18 months back, according to the Mail.

“Keep doing what you’re doing mate, you’re doing brilliant,” Rooney told Lacey during the call.

And the 18-year-old comes from a sporting family, as his father played for Liverpool’s academy while his older brother Paddy has played for lower league sides Barrow, Altrincham, Chester and Accrington Stanley before forging a career as a professional boxer.

Shea Lacey's older brother, Paddy (Credit:Getty)

His other brother, 20-year-old Luis, is currently plying his trade at Macclesfield Town in the National League North.

And despite having spells training with Blackburn, Everton, Liverpool and Manchester City, it was decided in June 2023 that United were the best club at which Lacey could hone his skills before the starlet penned a professional deal in April 2024.

United centre-back Harry Maguire is signed to the same agency, Triple S, as Lacey and is said to have looked out for the teenager who has impressed the club’s first-team stars during training sessions.

Praise is and will likely continue to come at Lacey from all angles, with United Under-21 boss Travis Binnion telling the Mail that “if he manages to stay fit”, he could become “a top-level player”.

“He needs to be patient with himself, and everyone needs to be patient with him, because he still has a lot to learn tactically, physically, and mentally,” Binnion said.

“Everyone can see, you’d have to be blind not to see, the talent he possesses. He still has a lot to do, and he knows it. We continue to manage him physically. If he manages to stay fit, everyone thinks he could become a top-level player.”