His older brother Paddy rejected Manchester United in favour of Liverpool. His family made a different call for Shea and his brother Luis — and now, at 19, Shea Lacey is one of the most talked-about teenagers at the club.
Lacey grew up starting football at the age of three, with an interest in boxing alongside his football. He attended Ashton-on-Mersey School and Sacred Heart Catholic College in Sale, and joined United's academy at a young age — his father persuaded that the Carrington setup offered the best developmental environment.
By 15, he was already playing for the Under-18 side, a level above his age group.
His playing style has drawn comparisons with Phil Foden — which is either instructive or overreaching depending on your tolerance for such things, but the attributes that prompt the comparison are clear.
He is a left-footed attacking midfielder who thrives in tight spaces, manipulates defenders with changes of direction and disguised passes, and plays with a confidence that coaches describe as naturally occurring rather than taught.
Under-21 interim head coach Adam Lawrence offered the clearest technical appraisal of Lacey available to anyone outside Carrington, speaking to the Manchester Evening News after Sunday's win over Sunderland.
"Shea is quite a unique case because he's always had a higher level — like an elite technical level. He's been a later developer physically, so it's not always an easy case because they can do things with the ball which are, without getting too carried away, like first-team level, genuinely. But in terms of the physicality and the physical side of the game, they need more time and patience."
His senior debut came against Aston Villa in December under Ruben Amorim. A red card against Brighton in January — a second yellow for dissent — disrupted momentum, and a physical setback followed.
But the injury has since been managed carefully and Lacey is now established as a regular presence in Carrick's first-team environment even when dropping back to Under-21 level.
He is contracted at United until 2029. He has played youth international football for England at Under-20 level and has been part of senior training sessions under Thomas Tuchel's England setup.
Lawrence framed his latest performance against Sunderland in simple terms.
"In terms of that maturity, it's something we've definitely seen an improvement with on and off the pitch."
Manchester United's 256th academy graduate, and one already being considered for the next stage.