Breakouts & wildcards: Man Utd's Lacey

Eli Junior Kroupi, Igor Thiago and Nico O’Reilly were among the breakout stars who made their mark on the Premier League last season – but who will be next?

BBC Sport’s TV and radio commentators have picked 13 players they believe are worth watching out for over the next few months.

In October 2025, Lacey trained with England’s senior set-up, while he was part of the Three Lions’ Under-20 squad. He first played for his country at Under-15 level [Getty Images]

Name: Shea Lacey Age: 19 Position: Forward Country: England

Steve Bower: At Manchester United, everyone is talking about JJ Gabriel, who is so good he is a freak of nature – but he is just 15, so we might only see him occasionally in the Carabao Cup this season.

A few years ahead of him, but still only 19, is Shea Lacey, who has overcome some early injury problems and has figured prominently in pre-season.

Lacey is an exciting wide player – exactly the type that United fans like – and is also very well known to Michael Carrick, not only with his coaching head on but also his parental one, from watching his son Jacey over the years in United’s academy.

I watched Lacey play against Burnley in United’s first game under Darren Fletcher, another coach who knows him well, when he took temporary charge last season.

A lifelong United fan, he was a whisker away from scoring in that game at Turf Moor and I see him being involved in the first-team squad a lot this season.

He is fearless, and it doesn’t look like the shirt or any expectation will weigh heavily on him. United fans are going to enjoy seeing a lot more of him this season, with Carrick keen to give him as many opportunities as possible.