Manchester United’s first team might be struggling for results, but in recent years, one thing has been a pleasant constant- the youth team’s domination.
The U18s won three titles last season and the U21s, comprised mainly of younger players being challenged up a level, have many upsets in the bank over professional sides.
Naturally, with Erik ten Hag at the helm, famous for bringing through young talent, it has led to a perfect storm of events.
The youth team is the strongest when the senior team manager likes to give them a chance and as a result, many youngsters have broken through.
Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo are the crown jewels of that story, of course, but another youngster yet to break through can be like one of the best in the world at his position, as per his former coach.
Charlie Daniels’ bold prediction
Charlie Daniels is a former Bournemouth player who used to play as a left-back before going on to coach Watford’s youth sides.
He spent time with the U16 and U18 sides at the club and during that time he had a precocious youngster under his wing who played in the same position as him.
That youngster is now turning heads at Manchester United, and there is a real clamour among fans for him to be given a chance in the first team.
That someone is Harry Amass, the 17-year-old flying left-back who is impressing for the youth sides and went on the USA tour with the senior team this pre-season.
His attacking qualities have long marked him out as a prospect to watch in the youth sides and it is only his defensive stability that has prevented him from getting a debut already.
According to Daniels, that area of his game does need improvement, which should come with age and experience but in the meantime, his playing style and attacking excellence make him a bit like Theo Hernandez, widely regarded as one of the best left-backs in the world currently.
Daniels said, via Manchester Evening News: “He is a bit like Theo Hernandez, I would say. He is very, very attacking, he has a good left foot, is intelligent, will work hard for the team, and likes to get forward.
“If I am looking at left-backs nowadays, he probably suits him. As you saw in pre-season, he has got all the attributes to become a top, top left-back.”
Harry Amass-Theo Hernandez comparison
Daniels makes an apt comparison with Hernandez, which is also a big reason why Amass has not got his first-team debut yet.
He looked suspect in pre-season, with his shortcomings off the ball being exploited by better teams to put United on the back foot.
It is worth remembering that Hernandez could never establish himself in Spain after coming through the youth system there for a similar reason.
He was sent on loan at Alaves to hone his all-around game by Atletico Madrid which prompted Real Madrid to take chance on him but they eventually went for a more secure option on the left.
Hernandez was sold to AC Milan, pretty much the learning lab for defensive skills, and combined with his already world-class attacking skillset, it launched him to the world’s best stratosphere.
United would want to avoid making a similar mistake as the Madrid clubs did, sticking with Amass in the growing pains of him becoming an all-around player.
After all, defensive excellence can come up time in training, playing games, and age, but attacking excellence is often a natural gift that players spend years honing.
Amass has a leg up on the latter. A Theo Hernandez comparison is lofty indeed but it is one which fits him to a tee.
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