Manchester United academy notebook: Shea Lacey returns and why Sekou Kone hasn't made his debut

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Welcome to this week's edition of the Manchester United academy notebook.

The Manchester Evening News provide more coverage of United's academy than any other outlet and we experimented by publishing an academy notebook last season.

We waited for the academy football to get fully underway in 2024/25 to bring it back, and we will bring our readers the notebook each week now it's been relaunched.

Last week's edition covered the arrival of Chido Obi-Martin, Samuel Lusale and James Overy and they should be great additions to an already supremely talented Under-18 team.

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So without further ado, here is a round-up of the latest news from the club's youth set-up...

Gore travels to Portugal

From Moor Lane to the Estádio do Dragão in the space of just two days. Dan Gore captained the Under-21s in front of a couple hundred fans at the home of Salford City on Tuesday night and has travelled with the first team to face FC Porto in the Europa League on Thursday.

Gore and the progress he was making after returning from injury was the focus of my report on Tuesday and it was excellent to see him included in the senior travelling squad.

After getting to know U21 manager Travis Binnion, I've learned that he couldn't rate Gore any higher and it's also easy to forget how much he impressed Erik ten Hag last year.

Gore now has the challenge of making up for lost time but he was making hugely positive strides until sustaining an injury on loan in January and should be up to that task.

Fletcher involved in first-team training

Jack Fletcher was absent from the U21 squad against Hertha Berlin on Tuesday but was one of the first players to emerge for first-team training on Wednesday morning.

Fletcher's inclusion in senior training explained why he was missing for the U21s on the night before and he spent a few minutes speaking with Rene Hake before the session began.

United signed Fletcher, along with his twin brother Tyler Fletcher, from Manchester City because they believed he possessed first-team potential and he's now pushing to make his debut.

Regularly being involved in first-team training sessions is an important step for academy prospects and Fletcher's next aim will be to make a matchday squad.

The U18s are flying again

If you somehow didn't notice, the U18s were outstanding last season and won a treble, winning two of those trophies at the expense of their rivals City. Adam Lawrence has a special crop of players at his disposal and they're flying again this term as they look to defend their league title.

The U18s thumped Blackburn Rovers 9-0 with a ruthless display in the league last weekend and have won each of their five games so far, which means they have a perfect record.

Derby County's U18s are currently top of the league - they have played an extra match - and it seems like they will be the team competing with United's youngsters for the title.

(Image: 2024 Manchester United FC)

Lacey makes his return

I reported at the start of September that Shea Lacey was set to return by the end of the month and he was included in his first squad of the season when making the bench against Blackburn.

Lacey is one of the most highly-regarded talents in the academy and signed a professional contract with United immediately after celebrating his 17th birthday.

Only the most highly-rated prospects in the academy are given professional terms when they turn 17 - the age when you can sign a pro deal - and Lacey has long been considered one of the leading lights in his age group, which is why he was tied down at the earliest opportunity.

Hopefully Lacey can kick on after making an appearance from the bench and followers of the academy will be keeping an eye on his progress in the next few months.

Why Kone hasn't made his debut

It's been over a month since Sekou Kone signed for United and he still hasn't made an appearance for the club. However, there is no reason to worry, as a source recently explained that Kone has essentially been having a pre-season after missing a lot of time training this summer.

Depending on Kone's progress with his fitness, he could make a first academy appearance this month but he won't be rushed into action, with his long-term development in mind.

An academy source has described Kone as a mix between a No.6 and a No.8 positionally and he is a talent for supporters to look forward to after impressing United's scouts.

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