Manchester United 'name academy stars' in squad for Everton as Ruben Amorim plans ahead | OneFootball

Youngsters need to step up as Red Devils prepare to lose three key players to the Africa Cup of Nations next month

Ruben Amorim is reportedly set to name academy players Shea Lacey and Jack Fletcher in his squad for Manchester United’s game against Everton on Monday night.

The pair have impressed at youth level and Amorim is keen to involve them ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which starts next month.

United are set to lose Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui for potentially more than a month, leaving Amorim short of options ahead of a busy winter schedule.

The Portuguese coach named Lacey and Fletcher as two academy players who could step up in the trio’s absence, and the youngsters, according to MUFC Academy, are now set to be involved as United host Everton at Old Trafford, looking to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to six games.

Fletcher, the son of former United midfielder and current Under-18s boss Darren Fletcher, has been involved in several senior matchday squads since former manager Erik ten Hag first called him up last October for United’s 2-1 win over Brentford.

The 18-year-old - whose twin brother Tyler is also in United’s academy - has continued to impress and carried on the club’s 88-year tradition of naming an academy player in every matchday squad when he replaced the injured Kobbie Mainoo on the bench for United’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham before the international break.

Stepping up: Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey training with the Manchester United first team at Carrington on Friday

Manchester United via Getty Images

Lacey has yet to feature in a senior matchday squad for United, but has caught the attention of Amorim, having netted three goals in nine appearances across all competitions for the Under-21s.

The 18-year-old attacking midfielder, who can play out wide or centrally, was called up to train with England’s senior team during the October international break.

Speaking about Lacey, who has struggled with injuries, Amorim praised the teenager but said he would need time to adapt to the pace of Premier League football.

"I'm really happy with him. I think he struggled a little bit with injuries; they did a very good job balancing his body, you can sense that he can manage more load during training,” Amorim said in his pre-Everton press conference on Friday.

"He has a lot of talent, but when they come here, they can sense the speed is completely different, so they need to spend more time with us to be prepared, because our trainings are hard, at Premier League games, with the pressure it's harder, so they need to be ready."