Thomas Tuchel has surprisingly called a Manchester United wonderkid into England training despite the 18-year-old still waiting for his senior club debut. Shea Lacey has been making waves for United’s under-21s, and was given the chance to train with England’s first team following a series of standout performances.

GOAL Superstar hype around Lacey

Lacey's rise has been meteoric. After his double against Crystal Palace’s U21s, he caught the eye of both Tuchel and Ruben Amorim, with the latter even having him train occasionally with United’s first team. Already drawing comparisons with England and Manchester City star Phil Foden, Lacey has been earmarked by many as a future footballing superstar.

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Lacey's versatility, which sees him shine as both a right-winger and an attacking midfielder, has given him the edge over other young hopefuls. Despite not yet making his senior United debut, Lacey’s exceptional performances in the youth ranks have made him impossible to ignore.

Rising stars get their shot at the big time

Lacey wasn’t the only surprise inclusion in England’s latest first-team session. Alongside him, 19-year-olds Lakyle Samuel and Harrison Murray-Campbell were also called up. Samuel, a defender on loan at Bromley from Manchester City, and Murray-Campbell, a Chelsea defender, were both given the chance to impress in the senior setup.

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Scouts flock to watch lacey

Lacey’s stock continues to rise as he carves out a reputation as a future star. Last week, during an impressive 2-0 win over Liverpool’s Under-21s, scouts from across the EFL and Premier League were seen flocking to the game. As soon as Lacey left the pitch, many scouts, believing the show was over, packed up and left, such was the teenager’s impact. His performances have impressed United first-team regulars like Harry Maguire, who have been left in awe after seeing Lacey’s skill up close in training. The calls for Lacey to be included in the first-team matchday squad are growing louder with each passing game.