Overview
- Manchester United's Under-21s beat Sunderland 3-2 in a Premier League 2 Round of 16 tie at Leigh Sports Village, and Shea Lacey drove in the decisive third goal.
- U21 coach Adam Lawrence said Lacey is playing with more maturity and that regular sessions with the senior squad are lifting his all-round game.
- The 19-year-old now trains daily with the first team and has been named on recent benches for Leeds and Chelsea, yet he drops to U21 level to keep his minutes up.
- Staff credited coaching, sports science and medical support for guiding his progress after a long thigh layoff last season and a recent calf strain.
- The victory booked a quarter-final trip to Crystal Palace, giving United another checkpoint as they manage his gradual step toward regular senior minutes.