Manchester United's pre‑season friendly against Atlético Madrid in Stockholm marked the last outing with academy players under Michael Carrick. While Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot and Matheus Cunha are expected back next week, the club is keen to see which youngsters step up, with Shea Lacey and Tyler Fletcher leading the queue.

Lacey, 19, dazzled in the 5‑0 win over Rosenborg, scoring from a Zirkzee through‑ball in a central number 10 role beside Bryan Mbeumo. Adam Lawrence praised his “magic in his feet” and his defensive work, and he has been training virtually full‑time with the senior squad.

Fletcher, a son of former international Darren and twin of Jack, earned a call‑up to Scotland’s World Cup squad after a 16‑minute Brighton appearance. Though he didn’t play, the experience sharpened his leadership and game reading, qualities Carrick values in a second‑half replacement. He now wears the armband in the academy side.

With the pre‑season winding down, United will monitor Lacey’s creative moments and Fletcher’s tactical discipline, hoping both can secure senior matches soon while decisions on other academy prospects remain pending.