A NEW HOPE
Meet Man Utd’s next young prodigy set to follow Kobbie Mainoo into first team and save club a fortune in transfer market
Erik ten Hag has hinted at when the defender could make his official debut
HARRY AMASS - remember the name Manchester United fans because he is coming for a first-team place at Old Trafford.
The concerns over what the club can do if Luke Shaw cannot play may well be over because Amass has proved himself more than capable while on tour in the USA.
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The 17-year-old Londoner came through Watford’s academy before United paid them compensation to snatch the highly rated youngster and take him to Carrington.
He was called into first-team training last February and got a spot on the bench for the FA Cup game against Liverpool and has represented England at under-15, 16 and 16 levels.
But he is really aiming for the first team at Old Trafford, and with the injury problems that have beset Tyrell Malacia and Shaw, he may get it and save United some money in the transfer market along the way.
He feels ready and looked it in pre-season games on this US Tour against Arsenal and Real Betis.
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Amass said: “Anything can happen at any time. Injuries come about and you’ve just got to take your chance when it comes.
“This pre-season is a chance to prove that if I am picked I can do it. Obviously we’ll see what happens when Luke and Tyrell come back.
“My intention is to play first-team football at this club.
“I think if the opportunity comes, I’ve got to take it with both hands, it could change my career. I am just waiting for that moment, I am ready.”
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Amass is an all action full-back much in the mould of Shaw and provided the assist for Amad’s goal in the 3-2 win over Real Betis.
He said: “On the ball I am comfortable, I like to dribble a lot, I like to take on players, I like to excite the fans, play exciting football.
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“On the ball, in the build-up, ain't a problem.
“Obviously it’s off the ball you’ve got to work hard, make sure you’re at it 100 per cent.”
The 5ft9 rising star is not afraid to stick his foot in either.
He said: “You’ve just got to show your aggressive side, you might be young, smaller than the opponent, but you have to show you are aggressive, and don’t back down. Then you can have a good game.”
He has struck up an immediate understanding with a revitalised Marcus Rashford down the left too, which the teenager puts down to the talent of his teammate.
He said: “Playing with him makes it ten times easier, he is an unbelievable player, playing with him on the wing it’s easy.
"Link-up play, he gets it, he understands my game straight away.”
With his confidence and ability it is no surprise that comparisons are already being made with Shaw, who did not play for United due to the injury he picked up in February.
Amass said: “It is a good comparison. In my opinion one of the best left-backs in the Premier League, if not the best for a long time.
"So I am not going to complain about the comparison.”
Erik ten Hag has been good at bringing young players through in his two years at United like Alejandro Garnacho, Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo and is confident of doing the same with Amass.
Man Utd pre-season tour squad in full
Goalkeepers: Tom Heaton, Demot Mee, Andre Onana, Radek Vitek.
Defenders: Harry Amass, Rhys Bennett, Jonny Evans,Will Fish, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Sam Murray, Aaron Wan-Bissaka,Leny Yoro.
Midfielders: Casemiro, Toby Collyer, Christian Eriksen, Hannibal, Jack Fletcher, Sam Mather, Scott McTominay, Mason Mount, Maxi Oyedele, James Scanlon.
Forwards: Antony, Amad, Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Ethan Wheatley.
Reported injured: Tyrell Malacia
Left out: Joshua Zirkzee, Altay Bayindir, Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez, Facundo Pellistri and Luke Shaw.
Ten Hag said: “We all see here a potential like where we have seen in previous years, for instance Garnacho last season.
“We had it during last season with Kobbie.
“He is not that far away now at this moment. If we train him well, if we coach him well, then in three months it's possible that he can be on that point.
“In this moment he needs to catch up and he has to develop some skills to play for Manchester United, competing for the highest positions in the league.
“But with big talent it can go up very quickly and that is very interesting to see if he is capable of doing this.”
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A packed Old Trafford might soon be finding out just how capable he is.
Harry Amass, remember the name.
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