Shea Lacey is on course for a breakthrough season in a Manchester United shirt after the progress he has made in recent months, which culminated in a key moment in their dramatic Champions League win against AS Roma in midweek.

The 19-year-old forward has been on the fringes of the first-team throughout the campaign with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo and Benjamin Sesko spending time on the sidelines because of injury.

After four substitute appearances for Man United last term, and outings from the bench against Hull City and Sabah in the opening weeks of the current campaign, Michael Carrick finally handed Lacey his first start for the club in the EFL Cup tie with Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford.

The teenager made a dream start as he netted the opening goal in the eighth minute with a fine left-footed finish, and it was a positive night for the youngster, even if the Red Devils ended up losing 3-2 having led 2-0 after 10 minutes.

Since then, the winger has appeared in two more of United's Champions League fixtures, as well as the home defeat against Bournemouth, from the bench, but he made his first major impact against Roma.

Having entered the field in the 75th minute with United losing 2-1, replacing Amad Diallo, the academy graduate helped the team complete a remarkable turnaround to win 3-2 and send the Old Trafford faithful into raptures.

Lacey produced a brilliant pass in the 86th minute that put Matheus Cunha through in the penalty area, and he made no mistake with a near-post finish.

It was just United's third win of the season, and it has helped ease some of the pressure on Carrick ahead of them hosting Aston Villa at the Theatre of Dreams on Sunday.

Lacey is now becoming a regular member of the first-team squad, but United already look to have their next version of the 19-year-old coming through in the academy.

Kai Rooney Making Big Impact at Man United

Lacey may be making an impact in the first team now, but Wayne Rooney's son, Kai, is showing in the younger age bracket groups that he could have a big future as a Man United player.

Rooney may have only just turned 17 years of age this week, but he has already been making appearances for teams in a higher age group, such has been his impressive form in front of goal.

The teenager didn't make his first Premier League Under-18 appearance of the season until October 17, but in his four outings since then he has scored six goals and registered one assist, while he has appeared for the U21 side too.

Rooney was the star of the show as he scored four times in the 6-0 win against Burnley, while he has also made substitute appearances in the UEFA Youth League ties against Atletico Madrid and then Roma this week.

United fans will obviously be hoping that Kai can follow in his dad's footsteps at Old Trafford, and the early signs are promising when you look at his recent goalscoring exploits.

Speaking to the Athletic recently, one club insider said of Rooney: "He’s progressing well and we have belief in him, that’s why he’s been in both the Youth League squad and under-21 squad - both are higher than his age groups. He has a lot of talent and it’s important that he continues to develop it."

Another United source added: "He’s a great kid. Holds his own 100%.

He is a goalscorer who is quick off the shoulder. He’s explosive over five to ten yards.

"He’s not the biggest, he’s going to be like his dad’s build. Small, squat, aggressive. When he’s on it, he’s on it. He just has to be more consistent. But he has moments like against Burnley where he can get you off the edge of your seat.

"He’s an accurate shooter with a powerful, clean, shot: good traits going for him as a striker. He’s a good lad, never had any issues with him."

Rooney is clearly causing excitement behind the scenes at United right now and, like Lacey, primarily plays from the right wing even though he is left-footed.

If he continues his current trajectory then it won't be long until we see him in and around the first-team squad, and with the name behind him he has everything in his favour to become a future United star if he gets things right on and off the pitch.