Manchester United were caught up in the chaos surrounding Sheffield Wednesday as the two clubs negotiated a deal for Harry Amass.
In his editorial for The Star, Joe Crann shed some light on the absolutely calamitous situation witnessed at the Championship club on deadline day, and how it affected the Red Devils.
Sadly for the Owls, they are encountering major troubles on and off the pitch, with the fans now planning a boycott in an attempt to ‘starve out’ the hierarchy and force the club’s owner, Dejphon Chansiri, to sell.
Harry Amass transfer to Sheffield United was anything but straightforward
After days of negotiations, Amass was all set to join Wednesday on deadline day. But while he and other players had arrived to pen their contracts, the fates of the operations remained uncertain due to the club’s financial woes.
But as Crann explains, it was later revealed that only Amass would be able to join, because Man Utd were ‘so eager’ to push the deal through that they agreed to pay for everything.
INEOS were happy to pay the 18-year-old’s wages, accommodation, bonuses and all other expenses, just to avoid a last-minute collapse, and in the end, the teenager indeed signed for the Championship strugglers.
Why Man United were keen to pull off the deal with Sheffield Wednesday
While Man Utd’s move undoubtedly reeked of desperation, the club had arguably made the right decision, as the young player’s development should be put above all other considerations.
Amass is a talented left-back who earned his senior debut last season and was able to put on impressive performances.
However, the absence of European football has limited first-team opportunities at United. Therefore, Ruben Amorim identified Patrick Dorgu and new arrival Diego Leon as his two main options on the left flank, while Diogo Dalot is able to switch to the opposite side when required.
Therefore, Amass was considered surplus to requirements this season. He’ll be looking to be reintegrated into United’s plans next summer, but he’ll first have to show his worth in the less-than-ideal circumstances in Sheffield.
