Talent calendar
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Manchester United’s injury problems at the left-back position in recent years have been well documented. But could the solution to this problem already be found with the Red Devils? Harry Amass is considered a great talent and was used regularly in pre-season. It’s more of a surprise that the 17-year-old hasn’t made his first-team debut yet.
This moment almost happened in January 2023, when the then only 15-year-old Englishman was on the substitutes’ bench in Watford’s FA Cup game against Reading. Amass was a fixture in England’s youth teams and built up a considerable reputation before Manchester United beat Chelsea in the fight for his signature in the summer of 2023. He made the bench against Liverpool last season and is aiming to make his professional debut this season, but recently there has been speculation about a future elsewhere.
Amass was already on the radar of England’s biggest clubs during his development in Watford’s youth academy before moving to Manchester United. The left-back was widely expected to make a breakthrough into the first team this season following his impressive displays on United’s US tour in the summer, particularly against Real Betis and Arsenal.
Amass is not yet an issue at Amorim either – signs of change?
During that tour, then coach Erik ten Hag said of Amass: “He’s not as advanced as Kobbie Mainoo at this point, but if we train and develop him well, it’s possible that in three months he’ll reach that level. However, at the moment he still needs to catch up and develop some of the skills needed to play for Manchester United, especially when we are fighting for the top positions in the league. But with great talent it can happen very quickly and it will be very interesting to see if he can do that.”
United’s regular left-backs Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw were out for a long time last season, with Malacia even missing the entire game. Neither man was fit for the season opener in the Community Shield against Manchester City and Amass was expected to start. But ten Hag left the youngster completely out of the squad. It is reported that despite his huge potential, Amass currently lacks the physical requirements for senior football. Ruben Amorim also shares this assessment. Despite Shaw’s prediction from a few months ago that Amass was the player to keep an eye on for the future, United are close to signing left-back Diego León, also 17, a player we saw earlier this month Presented talent calendar.
León is set to move to United next summer for a fee of around €5 million, which has inevitably sparked speculation about Amass’ future as both left-backs are the same age. However, León is an impressively athletic player and has already gained experience in professional football in his native Paraguay. Amass, on the other hand, has superior technical ability and has previously spoken about his smaller stature and the need to compensate for this through his style of play.
United talent Amass: “You have to show aggressiveness”
Earlier this year, Amass said: “You may be young and smaller than the opponent, but you have to show aggression and not shy away.” In theory, Amass’ playing style fits well into the left wing-back role in Amorim’s system, and there are significant doubts on the future prospects of Malacia and Shaw. While the impending signing of León is an exciting development, Amass remains an exceptional talent and, as Shaw made clear, a player to keep an eye on.
Every day from December 1st to 24th, Transfermarkt will present a talent from the 2007 or 2008 vintage from a different country. Sponsors, data scouts and users act as experts and report interesting facts about 24 young players in our talent calendar who you should keep a close eye on in the future. For example with the TM Watchlist.