Shea Lacey, a Manchester United prospect, has been forced to deny signing for Newcastle after a ‘false DM’ appeared on social media.
The 16-year-old currently plays for United’s U18 team and has gone viral on several times in the last 18 months for a string of remarkable goals.
Last January, he struck a goal of the season contender against Wolves, hitting a swerving left-footed shot directly into the top corner from 25 yards.
Shea Lacey (16).
Remember the name. 🔝pic.twitter.com/079HnPf4b4
— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) July 23, 2023
According to The Athletic, United manager Erik ten Hag had a private conversation with Lacey and other youth players about what it takes to become a ‘fully-fledged first team player’ at the club.
Expectations are high for the Liverpool-born winger, who can also play attacking midfield, so it’s not surprising that other clubs are interested in signing him.
Some supporters assumed Newcastle was one of those clubs, but everything was not as it appeared.
According to a Twitter user, the Magpies approached Lacey with an offer to sign him, and the 16-year-old wanted to leave United.
However, another source, Academy Scoop, provided details of an Instagram interaction with Lacey.
When notified about the message, the United youngster is said to have responded: “Seen it, mate, weird aren’t they.”
The original post also claimed that they had a direct message chat with Lacey, despite the fact that the account shown in the photo had 40,000 fewer followers than Lacey’s actual account.
In the near future, the winger will attempt to solidify his position as a vital player for United’s young teams, having appeared in the UEFA young League three times this season for the U19s.
Ten Hag has demonstrated a willingness to develop teenagers capable of playing first-team football, with Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho emerging as significant first-team players for the Dutchman.
