What Shea Lacey did after scoring first Man Utd goal is perfect statement to Old Trafford

Shea Lacey got his Manchester United tally off the ground with a first competitive goal of his career against Brighton in the Carabao Cup.

Handed his first start for Manchester United, Shea Lacey didn’t waste any time in proving why he is regarded so highly by the club as he started brightly before scoring in the eighth minute.

Lacey had a lot of work to do, but found an inch of space to get by his marker and then finished really well into the near corner, leaving the Brighton goalkeeper no chance. It was a moment that saw the star of Lacey born. But how he celebrated was actually just as pleasing.

Shea Lacey kisses the Manchester United badge in celebration

The goal itself was a thing of beauty and is one that Lacey has copied and pasted from every youth level, cutting inside and then finding a corner for his shot. It sounds simple, but it is unstoppable when a player this talented does it.

Lacey celebrated with his teammates, clearly feeling emotional and rightly so. But as the celebrations died down, Lacey turned to the fans and kissed the badge in what felt like a statement amid the ongoing questions around JJ Gabriel.

After the news broke that Gabriel wanted out, Lacey sent a message immediately with a heart alongside an image of him in United gear. The timing and scenario in which he made this post suggested he was basically saying he loves the club, unlike the wantaway Gabriel.

Lacey has now reemphasised this point after his goal, telling Old Trafford how he really feels, which the club needs right now. It had been a bad week at United, but Lacey cured all of this with his goal and then showed his commitment to the club afterward.

Hopefully, this is just the first of many for the prodigious talent from Merseyside who became the first Scouse scorer for United since Wayne Rooney, which is a pretty great omen.

But it also shows his character and that United supporters can get behind him without having to worry about another youngster going wrong. Lacey is the real deal on and off the pitch.