Who is Harry Amass? A Man United youngster who could save Erik ten Hag from the injury crisis

Manchester United have no shortage of problems right now. They sit 14th after seven games of the 2024/25 Premier League season and are winless after two UEFA Europa League games, with Erik ten Hag under increasing pressure.

United also have their fair share of injuries, especially in defense and especially at left-back. Neither Luke Shaw nor Tyrell Malacia have featured this season and the latter has been sidelined since the summer of 2023. Noussair Mazraoui has joined them on the sidelines after undergoing a heart procedure.

Ten Hag are in desperate need of answers at the back as United prepare for games against Brentford, Fenerbahce and West Ham after the October international break. Having spent much of last season struggling with injury problems – the left-back problem was so bad they signed Sergio Reguilon on a short-term loan – he will be desperate to get players back as soon as possible.

But the Dutch manager could have an answer on the wings in the form of promising United Academy player Harry Amass, who has looked very determined to feature in the 2024/25 campaign.

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Who is Harry Amass?

Amass is a 17-year-old United youth team star who plays as a left-back. Born in London, he was signed by United in the summer of 2023 after seven years at Watford, where he earned a reputation as one of the country’s most exciting young players.

Amass has featured in England age groups at all levels from Under-15s to Under-18s. He is yet to play a game for United’s senior team, but Ten Hag has been included in matchday squads and is currently a regular in first-team training at Carrington.

Amas has played for United’s Under-21s in the EFL Trophy against Barnsley and Doncaster Rovers and was a key part of the Under-18s who won the league title in 2023/24.

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Erik ten Hag on Harry Amass: “Great talent”

Amas impressed on United’s 2024 pre-season tour of the United States, earning praise from Ten Hag. Amid comparisons to Kobbie Mainoo, whose breakthrough was one of the few highlights of United’s 2023/24 season, Ten Hag was asked if Amass could make a similar move to senior football.

He said: “Now he’s not as advanced (as Mainoo) at the moment, but if we train him well, if we train him well, then in three months he might be able to be at that moment. But at the moment . moment, he has to catch up and develop some of the skills needed to play for Manchester United, when we are competing for the top position in the league.

“But with great talent he can go really fast and it’s very interesting to see if he can do that.”

Some clips of Harry Amass today against City

Signed from Watford in 2023. One of the most outstanding U18 players this season. Many promising attributes. pic.twitter.com/WiuM37IfaG

— Academy Arena (@academyarenaUTD) January 20, 2024

With Shaw and Malacia unavailable, could Amass be called upon for United in the coming weeks? Recent reports have suggested that Ten Hag are still unwilling to consider him, instead having considered playing Jonny Evans as a makeshift left-back.

Few who have seen Amass in United’s youth teams would decry his ability and fans have called for the 17-year-old to earn a well-deserved promotion to the starting XI. He has even drawn comparisons to Shaw for his style of play.

Speaking in the summer, Amass said: “There have been no talks yet. We’ll see what happens when Luke and Tyrell come back, but my intention is to play first-team football at this club. If the opportunity comes, me”. I have to take it with both hands. It could change my career.”

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Latest Manchester United injury news

Mainoo, Shaw and Malacia are United’s three main injury doubts as things stand.

The former did not play for England in their UEFA Nations League games against Greece and Finland after picking up knock against Aston Villa before the break.

Ten Hag said he expected Shaw to return after the international break. Before the break, he said: “I can’t say 100 per cent for sure at the moment, but we’ve got two and a half weeks from now to work up to the point, but it will be there soon after that for sure.”

Malacia is closing in on his expected return from a knee problem, but United are taking their time with the 25-year-old due to the severity of his injury. New signing Leny Yoro is the club’s other long-term absentee.

Mazraoui’s problem means Diogo Dalot is currently United’s only senior full-back. So is it time for Amass to get the call?