Man Utd youngster Shea Lacey was shown a second yellow card at the end of Man Utd’s defeat to Brighton.
Lacey was sent off against Brighton.(Image: 2026 James Gill – Danehouse)
Manchester United interim boss Darren Fletcher believes Simon Hooper was guilty of “poor refereeing” in the build-up to Shea Lacey’s sending off against Brighton. Lacey picked up a second yellow card for dissent and Fletcher questioned the decision to show the youngster the initial caution.
Lacey was introduced to the game with 30 minutes to play. He was shown a yellow card in the 87th minute for a foul and picked up another two minutes later for throwing the ball to the ground.
United fans applauded Lacey as he returned to the dressing room. The youngster looked distraught and pulled his shirt over his head as he left the pitch. Fletcher discussed the sending off when he spoke to TNT Sports, and the caretaker boss slammed Hooper’s decision to award the first yellow card.
Fletcher said: “Shea Lacey’s yellow card is ridiculous compared to the fouls that we had against us all game which ultimately then the lad makes a mistake and is sent off. For me, it is poor refereeing.”
When asked how Lacey was doing after being sent off, he said: “He’s disappointed because he cares and he understands and he knows he will learn from it. There is no doubt about his talent.
“And it was a steep learning curve today, but we believe in Shea. He’s one of our most exciting young prospects, and I’m sure at Old Trafford he will have a chance to make amends for that in the future.”
Ruben Amorim handed Lacey his senior debut against Aston Villa last month. The forward was given his next first-team appearance by Fletcher in his first game in charge as interim boss against Burnley at Turf Moor.
Lacey came close to scoring in that game. “Where has he been?” Gary Neville said on Sky Sports. “He reminds me of Phil Foden with the way he moves,” said Joe Hart on Match of the Day.