Overview

• Reports this week say the 18-year-old trained with the senior squad on consecutive days and impressed Ruben Amorim and his staff.
• Lacey was left out of the U21s against Brackley Town, with a Daily Mail reporter noting it was not injury-related and optimism growing about first-team proximity.
• United are prepared to consider a loan in January, potentially abroad, if he is not involved with the first team by then, according to multiple outlets.
• U21 coach Travis Binnion said that if Lacey stays fit and keeps training, everyone at the club believes he could become a top player.
• His progress this season follows recovery from a serious thigh injury and minor setbacks, though competition on the right from Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo may limit immediate minutes.