Manchester United talent fires injury return message ahead of Bournemouth

Shea Lacey marked his return from injury by training with Manchester United's first team ahead of this weekend's Premier League clash against Bournemouth.

The 16-year-old, who has not featured for United's academy sides since suffering an injury in October, was pictured alongside Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro and Alejandro Garnacho during Wednesday's session at Carrington.

Lacey, who hails from Merseyside, has been on United's books for some years and signed a scholarship deal with the club last August. He is a United supporter and he grew up idolising multi-Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi.

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And after training with Erik ten Hag's first team on Wednesday, Lacey took to social media to express his excitement at being back on the pitch after a difficult couple of months on the sidelines. "Been a tough 6 months," wrote the 16-year-old on Instagram. "Good to be back out there."

Before his injury, Lacey, who made his debut for the club's under-18s side when aged just 15, had scored two goals and laid on a further three assists for Adam Lawrence's side in the first seven games of the under-18s Premier League, which United won by an aggregate score of 27-6.

Should Lacey be handed his United debut before the end of the season 2023/24 campaign, he would follow in the footsteps of Will Kambwala, Daniel Gore and Omari Forson who have all been handed Premier League debuts by Ten Hag this season.

The Manchester Evening News revealed last month that Lacey is set to sign his first professional contract after he turns 17 on April 14, reward for his excellent and continued progression in the youth set-up. Lacey played three times in the UEFA Youth League, an Under-19 competition, in the autumn before his injury.