Darren Fletcher is set to take charge of his second game as Manchester United interim manager this Sunday, in an FA Cup 3rd Round cup tie with Premier League regulars Brighton.
United have never lost to Brighton in the FA Cup, with a total of six wins against the Seagulls, including a 2023 semi-final win on penalties that eventually resulted in United losing the final to Manchester City.
With Fletcher still struggling with various difficulties, like the fitness of stars like Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire, and the continued absence of AFCON stars like Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo, his selection against Brighton is likely to be lacking some regulars.
With Fletcher confirming he is in the hot seat this weekend, but more and more likely to vacate it before United's game against Man City next weekend, this is likely to be his final selection as United manager. It's also a difficult one.
In United's last game, Fletcher selected Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha as United's two wingers, with Dorgu on the left and Cunha on the right. This was an odd decision considering that Cunha has rarely occupied that position, favouring the left.
This selection was largely due to the fact that two players who could play that right-winger role, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo, are both missing from the squad due to their national team commitments. Mbeumo's Cameroon and Amad's Ivory Coast have exited the tournament already, but neither is expected to be rushed back for the game. It leaves United short on wingers.
Fortunately, Darren Fletcher has been confronted with a viable alternative on the right-wing, and it comes in the form of 18-year-old Shea Lacey. Lacey has only played two professional games for the club, but clearly impressed in his last outing, despite his short time on the pitch.
Lacey appeared only in the last 10 minutes of United's trip to Burnley, but managed to get off two long range shots, including one that rattled the crossbar after the winger carved his way through the defence. Some considered it wasteful. Everyone considered it impressive.
To have the confidence to take on shots like that, to be the player that attempts to take hold of and win a game, is an attribute rarely seen in someone so young. That level of confidence can be dangerous, and frustrating when they can't back it up, but it often signals absurd potential.
Perhaps most importantly, it throws down a gauntlet. Shea Lacey is here, and he wants your spot in that team. It'll be fascinating to see how Darren Fletcher reacts.
Fletcher is a man who came from the Carrington academy himself. He's also been manager of the under-18s, and has managed Shea Lacey (among others) at that level. He'll be as aware as anyone of Lacey's talents.
Lacey can also bring a lot to Fletcher's system. Fletcher's system prefers wider wingers to send balls into Benjamin Šeško. Although Lacey is left-footed, he still favours that outside channel, happy to take on players from the touchline, and stretching the opposition's defensive line, widening channels for teammates to operate in.
It's unfortunate that United are up against a Premier League side in the FA Cup (look no further than Man City thumping 10 past Exeter to see how easy some have it) because it means that academy players will get less of a chance. In this scenario though, Lacey is in with a chance, and he's put himself in a great position to take advantage.