Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has urged Michael Carrick to start Shea Lacey ahead of Amad Diallo.

United trailed 2-0 to AS Roma in the Champions League after a brutal first-half on Tuesday night but fought back to claim a priceless 3-2 win, their first victory since 10 September.

A penalty from Bruno Fernandes sparked the comeback with Matheus Cunha scoring twice against the Serie A giants. But it was also the introduction of Lacey after 75 minutes that helped get United over the line.

Operating on the right, the 19-year-old immediately set about tormenting the opposition and with his pass setting up Cunha’s winner.

Lacey’s excellent touches and slick passing gave United a greater threat on the right with Amad struggling to provide a threat earlier in the contest.

The Ivory Coast international was also guilty of spurning big chances in the weekend defeat to Chelsea with his last goal for the club coming in December last year. He has also registered just two assists in all competitions in that period.

Lacey’s contribution will have done his first-team chances no harm having also scored his first goal for the club with an excellent strike against Brighton in the Carabao Cup in September.

And former captain Rooney believes Amad’s lack of end product should see him make way for the young academy star.

‘That’s a great touch inside and a wonderful pass, and the finish is incredible,’ Rooney said of Lacey’s assist.

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‘If you look at it again, you probably think, can he square it and play your teammate in? But for me, it’s all about that first touch [from Lacey], takes the defender out and that pass is incredible.

‘We’ve said about Amad, Amad does some really good things, but it’s that end product, that is what takes you to the next level. And the glimpses of what I’ve seen from Lacey when he has come on, especially this season.

‘He has got something in there, that little touch and little pass which United needed to get them over the line in this game.’