Chido Obi has made a significant impact at Manchester United this season. Following a series of consistent performances with the youth team, the young talent has been granted opportunities with the first team by manager Ruben Amorim, where he has continued to impress.
To date, he has appeared in four matches, accumulating 78 minutes of play, which includes a 52-minute appearance against Fulham in the FA Cup. During that match, United legend Wayne Rooney expressed his admiration for Obi’s performance, stating he was “really impressed” with the young player’s display.
For Arsenal supporters, it must be disheartening to witness Obi thriving in United’s first team. Recently, the Gunners also lost promising center-back Ayden Heaven to Old Trafford, although he has unfortunately sustained an injury following a series of strong performances.
The latest on Ayden Heaven’s injury
It is unfortunate for Heaven that he sustained an injury. Approximately 50 minutes into Manchester United’s latest match against Leicester City, he had to be carried off on a stretcher due to a leg problem, following an impressive start to the game.
Currently, there is no official diagnosis or timeline for the young player’s return.
Nevertheless, he took to Instagram to share that he is “doing well and recovering quickly,” while Manchester Evening News journalist Steven Railston reported that United is “continuing to assess” his condition.
This injury comes at a particularly inconvenient time for the defender, who has made four appearances for the Red Devils thus far.
He made a notable debut against Fulham during extra time, followed by an excellent performance in his first Premier League match against Arsenal. His initial start was against Real Sociedad in the Europa League, and he also began the match against Leicester City.
Exceptional talents like Heaven and Obi are rare, yet United has a track record of developing such players into key figures in the first team.
Remarkably, the Red Devils may have an even more gifted young player in their academy, poised to join the senior squad under Amorim’s guidance.
Man United’s next-best talent after Heaven & Obi
Throughout the years, United has showcased numerous promising talents from their academy within the first team. Recently, players such as Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo have emerged as notable senior figures.
Among the graduates from Carrington, the next potential standout for the Red Devils may be forward Shea Lacey. Despite facing injury challenges in recent seasons, he is recognized as a gifted player, with the United academy-focused platform Academy Scoop labeling him as “unstoppable.”
At just 17 years old and hailing from Liverpool, Lacey has unfortunately made only eight appearances this season due to injury setbacks. During this limited time on the field, he has recorded one assist, which occurred in a match against FK Zalgiris in the UEFA Youth League.
Lacey’s achievements in this competition extend beyond that single assist; he also provided an assist against Galatasaray last season. His performances in both matches were commendable, as noted by Sofascore, where he created two chances against the Lithuanian team and one against the Turkish club.
| Lacey in UEFA Youth League | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stat | vs. Galatasaray (2023/24) | vs. FK Zalgiris (2024/25) |
| Touches | 20 | 38 |
| Pass accuracy | 78% | 100% |
| Dribbles completed | 1/2 | 4/5 |
| Duels won | 4/7 | 5/7 |
| Key passes | 1 | 2 |
| Stats from Sofascore | ||
In terms of his achievements in domestic football with United’s U18 team, the winger has once again showcased his skills. He has recorded five goals and five assists across 27 matches in the U18 Premier League, which includes two goals and one assist during a 5-2 victory against Newcastle United last season.
Lacey’s talent is undeniable. The England U17 international possesses an exceptional ability to control the ball, making him a formidable presence on the field who can generate scoring opportunities seemingly out of thin air—an invaluable quality for any forward. His potential has drawn comparisons to Phil Foden, the PFA Premier League Player of the Year for 2023/24.
If Lacey can overcome his injury challenges, he has the requisite talent to secure a position in United’s first team. He has the potential to become a key player for Amorim in the future, contributing to a legacy alongside teammates like Obi and Heaven.
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