Michael Lea

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Michael Lea
Personal information
Full name	Michael Lea
Date of birth	November 4, 1987 (1987-11-04) (age 20)
Place of birth	Salford, Greater Manchester, England
Playing position	Left-back, centre-back
Club information
Current club	Manchester United
Youth clubs
2004-2007	Manchester United
Senior clubs1
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
2007- 2007	Manchester United → Royal Antwerp (loan)	0 (0) 15 (0)
1 Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15:22, 22 June 2007 (UTC). * Appearances (Goals)

Michael Lea (born 4 November 1987 in Salford, Greater Manchester) is an English footballer, currently playing for Manchester United. His regular position is left-back, but he can also play at centre-back when required.

Lea was brought up in Leigh in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan. His 2005–06 season was marred by injury, and he was restricted to 13 appearances for the Under-18 team. In the 2006–07 season, he became a regular for the Manchester United Reserve team, making 21 appearances. His consistent form in the 2006–07 season led to a nomination for the Manchester United Reserve Player of the Year award, but he was beaten to the award by Kieran Lee.

Lea was sent out on loan to Belgian side Royal Antwerp FC for the first half of the 2007-08 season. He made his debut for the Belgians on 22 September 2007 against R.O.C. de Charleroi-Marchienne; the match finished as a 1–1 draw. He went on to make a further 14 appearances for "The Great Old" before returning to Manchester United at the end of 2007.