Leeds transfer mission revealed as Manchester United get ready to loan out wonderkid adored by Ruben Amorim
Leeds United sent a scout to watch Manchester United’s Under-21s play Barnsley earlier this week in the EFL Trophy.
The League One side beat the Man United youngsters 5-2 at Oakwell on Tuesday night, with the away side ending the game with 10 men.
Leeds are one of a number of clubs who reportedly had a senior scout at the midweek game in Yorkshire as Man United showed off some of their top young talent against a senior side.
Daniel Farke has enjoyed a solid start to the Premier League season, with Leeds’ win over West Ham on Friday night putting them on 11 points after nine games.
And it seems that January business is now being lined up as the clocks go back and the nights close in.
Man United ready to do loan deal for Shea Lacey
Shea Lacey is a youngster who’s making waves at Old Trafford right now and The Sun journalist Alan Nixon reports that there’s a good chance he’ll be sent out on loan in January.
Writing on his Patreon on 26 October, Nixon reported that Leeds, Burnley and Nottingham Forest were among the Premier League clubs who had staff stationed at Oakwell to watch Man United’s Under-21s, who had 18-year-old winger Lacey starring in the side.
It is understood that Ruben Amorim is eyeing up Lacey for a first-team role at Old Trafford but a loan deal beforehand makes sense.
Clubs who had scouts at Barnsley vs Man United U21s:
- Premier League: Leeds, Burnley, Nottingham Forest
- Championship: Leicester, Ipswich, Charlton, Norwich, Hull, Derby
- League One: Doncaster, Leyton Orient, Reading, Mansfield, Wimbledon, Blackpool, Wigan, Bolton
- League Two: Crewe, Grimsby, Bromley, Tranmere, Shrewsbury
- Scottish Premiership: Motherwell
Lacey is yet to make a first-team appearance for Man United.
So far this season, the England Under-20 international has played four times in Premier League 2, scoring two goals and supplying one assist.
He also set up a goal in the Under-21s loss to Barnsley when he assisted Chido Obi’s 53rd-minute strike.
- Watch Lacey’s brilliant assist against Barnsley by hitting play on the YouTube video below
While Leeds and Man United are historically huge rivals, the two clubs have still done business with one another over the years.
In 2021, Leeds signed Daniel James from Man United for £25million while Cameron Borthwick-Jackson was snapped up on loan in August 2017.
What do Ruben Amorim and Man United coaches think of Shea Lacey?
The Daily Mail reported in September that Lacey has “left a lasting impression” on Amorim in training this season.
The attacker, who can play on the wing or in an attacking midfield role, has also drawn praise from Man United’s Under-21s boss Travis Binnion.
Speaking in September, he said: “Listen, everybody in the world knows about Shea Lacey.
“So he needs a little bit of fortune, he needs to be patient with himself and everybody else needs to be really patient with him.
“Everybody can see – you have to be blind not to see – the talent he’s got. He’s got lots to do in his game and he knows. We’re still managing him physically because if he can stay on the pitch and can train every day, I think everyone thinks he could be a top, top player.”
Despite his versatility, Lacey has played mainly on the right wing this season for Man United’s Under-21s.
While Leeds do have some good players who can shine in that role, it wouldn’t hurt to have a bit of extra depth.
James and Wilfried Gnonto are Farke‘s main right-wing options, but Noah Okafor, Jack Harrison and Lukas Nmecha can also play there.
Gnonto and Okafor have both had injuries in recent weeks, while Harrison is viewed mainly as a left option and Nmecha is predominantly a striker.
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