Overview
- Shea Lacey scored his first senior Manchester United goal in the eighth minute of his first start, drilling a left-footed low shot to the near post at Old Trafford.
- Manchester United lost 3-2 to Brighton in the Carabao Cup third round and were eliminated from the competition.
- Manager Michael Carrick said it was a shame that Lacey’s big moment would get lost in the aftermath of the defeat but praised the significance for the player and the academy.
- Lacey is a 19-year-old academy product from Liverpool who made his senior debut in December 2025 and had two substitute appearances earlier this season before earning this start.
- Statisticians note Lacey is the first United teenager to score on his first start since Marcus Rashford in February 2016, and the Cup role for young players means this performance could lead to more first-team opportunities.