Carrick hails Lacey's 'amazing' debut goal as Gabriel pushes for Old Trafford exit

Shea Lacey scored on his first start for Manchester United in a 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford on Wednesday, with manager Michael Carrick describing the moment as ‘amazing’ — even as fellow academy product JJ Gabriel pushed to leave the club.

Lacey, 19, put Carrick’s side ahead in the eighth minute with a composed left-footed finish, the kind of move the Middlesbrough head coach says he has watched the teenager rehearse repeatedly on the training pitches at Carrington. United ultimately fell to a 3-2 defeat, but Carrick was keen to ensure the goal was not lost in the post-match disappointment.

“It was amazing for Shea and his family and everyone at the academy,” Carrick said. “I’ve seen him do that on the pitches outside there quite a few times and that’s his little spot — getting there and turning on his left foot and coming inside. The way the game pans out and the result takes it away a little bit, but when the dust settles I think he can be very proud of himself because it was a big moment for him.”

The goal arrived barely 24 hours after it emerged that Gabriel, 15, had formally requested to leave United. The forward, who scored 23 goals in the under-18 Premier League last season, is said to believe he should already be involved at first-team level. Gabriel reportedly flew to Barcelona for talks with the La Liga club, with Real Madrid also understood to be monitoring the situation. United are hopeful of persuading him to stay.

Carrick used Lacey’s breakthrough as an implicit reminder of the pathway that still exists at Old Trafford. “The history of this club is littered with moments like that,” he said. “That’s why so many people in the academy work so hard and it’s what this club has been built upon. We’ll see who brings it on to having the next opportunity, because we always look forward to the next one.”

Lacey could retain his place in the starting XI when United travel to Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday.