There was “little surprise” amongst the Manchester United senior squad when Ruben Amorim named the starting XI to face Newcastle and Harry Amass’ name was pencilled in at left wing-back, according to a report by Daily Mail.
Nathan Salt (MailSport) reveals the 18-year-old defender’s successful ascension into the United first-team now means the rest of the team see the starlet as “part of the furniture” at Old Trafford.
And there was widespread expectation amongst the Red Devil squad that Amass’ debut would come sooner rather than later, after a series of impressive performances in training.
Earlier in the week, both Diogo Dalot and Harry Maguire pulled Amass aside to hold one-on-one conversations with the 18-year-old fullback, according to the report.
“Mail Sport understands that Diogo Dalot held a long debrief with Amass after one training session last week to talk through his game and share tidbits of information given he plays the same wing-back role.
“Harry Maguire too, a former captain and a key figure in the United dressing room, pulled Amass aside for a chat a few days ago to tell him the squad felt he was closing in on his first start. His hard work was not going under the radar.”
Similarly, Mason Mount has formed a “particularly good relationship” with Amass this season, with both players hailing from London originally.
One dressing room source reveals the three senior stars have been “invaluable” in helping their younger teammate establish himself in the first-team squad.
And set against the backdrop of an intimidating St James’ Park, Amass rewarded their efforts, becoming the fourth youngster to make his for the Red Devils, behind Mason Greenwood, Federico Macheda and Phil Neville.
It would be hard to find a more difficult match for an undersized defender to make his first Premier League start than an away clash with Newcastle, notorious for their physical power and aggression under Eddie Howe.
But this is what Amorim and his coaching staff felt the 5’9 Amass was capable of; and the youngster matched their expectations, even while enduring some expected moments of difficulty along the way.
Amass initially appeared like the match may have come too early for him with Newcastle’s pace and power giving the defender issues early on. But the 18-year-old did not let the occasion cause him to wilt, and grew into the game as the first-half progressed.
The wing-back made two particularly nice run downs the left, demonstrating his excellent technical ability, which has impressed youth coaches at both club and international level.
Amass was eventually withdrawn at the 55th minute mark for Danish international Patrick Dorgu with the game poised at 2-1 in Newcastle’s advantage.
The implosion United experienced after this point is best left as a distant memory but the positive performance of the team’s latest academy product should offer optimism for the future.
Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images
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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.
