Harry Amass is “set to stay” at Old Trafford the remainder of the season despite a number of clubs expressing an interest in signing the Manchester United youngster on loan.
Amass, 17, was one of the breakout stars from the Red Devils’ pre-season tour of the US, starting a number of games for Erik ten Hag’s side due to the ongoing injury issues of senior fullbacks Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw
The defender demonstrated his quality on the ball and physicality off it without making any obvious errors, save for some positioning issues – a natural area any young defender will need to improve.
There had been an expectation this first-team berth could remain heading into the new campaign.
However, Amass returned to the U-21 and U-18 teams after the tour concluded, with Ten Hag preferring to switch Diogo Dalot into the vacant left-back slot. The 17-year-old was included in a few matchday squads, but only due to continued injury concerns in defence.
And this preference for Dalot has continued after Ruben Amorim arrived from Lisbon in November to replace the Dutch coach.
The Sporting CP manager has not included Amass in a single match-day squad while United have dipped into the market in this time to sign but one two young left-sided defenders.
Diego Leon, also 17, will arrive in the summer from Paraguay’s Cerro Porteño while Patrick Dorgu was signed last week in a deal worth a potential £30 million from Serie A side Lecce.
This adds another potential two options for the vacant left wing-back role in Amorim’s squad, though it’s unrealistic to expect Leon to be ready for Premier League football immediately.
But it does further limit Amass’ opportunities for first-team football, despite his excellent technical ability, which has drawn comparisons to his senior teammate, Shaw.
United were open to Amass’ leaving Old Trafford on loan this month if a suitable opportunity arrived which offered the correct environment for the 17-year-old to continue his development.
However, Steve Railston (Manchester Evening News) reveals, this did not materialise and the left-back will remain at the club for the rest of the campaign.
Harry Amass is set to stay at United for the remainder of the season. The club were hopeful of arranging a loan move, but a suitable offer had to arrive for him to leave #mufc https://t.co/GFRhOBP9nl
— Steven Railston (@StevenRailston) February 3, 2025
Tweet: “Harry Amass is set to stay at United for the remainder of the season. The club were hopeful of arranging a loan move, but a suitable offer had to arrive for him to leave #mufc.”
“Sources indicated Amass would only leave United if a suitable club could pitch a convincing plan for his development, and his situation will now be revisited in the summer transfer window,” Railston writes.
The reporter does reveal that Amass is “happy” at Old Trafford, however, and still “hoping to reach the first-team”, despite the arrivals of competition for his spot.
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
