Kobbie Mainoo had to wait until November’s 3-0 win at Everton to make his senior Manchester United debut.
12 months on, could another Carrington kid be about to announce himself on the first-team stage?
Erik ten Hag, speaking after the 3-2 pre-season friendly victory over Real Betis in midweek, offered a glimpse into his plans for teenage left-back Harry Amass.
The rampaging 17-year-old, Ten Hag tells the Manchester Evening News, is not yet at the level of Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho when they exploded onto the scene.
“But if we train him well, if we coach him well, then in three months (come November) it’s possible that he can be on that point,” the Dutchman explains.
“That is very interesting to see if he is capable of doing this.”
Manchester United have big plans for Harry Amass
Amass will certainly return from United’s tour of the USA with his already-burgeoning reputation very much enhanced.
One of the stars of last season’s Premier League Under 18 title-winning side, the former Watford prospect has been a revelation at youth level.
And if that Betis display is anything to go by, Amass is not too far away from making that step up to the men’s game. While the former Chelsea target was caught napping in the build up to the La Liga side’s early opener, he did set up that ‘explosive’ Amad Diallo finish with a trademark bursting run and whipped cross.
It is easy to see, meanwhile, why Amass has been dubbed something of a mini Luke Shaw. He possessing the same shuttling style and fizzing left-footed delivery as United’s long-serving £30 million man.
Speaking to The Athletic, Amass is delighted to be mentioned in the same breath as a player he believes belongs amongst the very finest footballers in his position.
“He is one of the best left-backs in the Premier League, if not the best for a long time,” Amass says of Shaw. “I am not gonna complain about the comparison.
“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. On the ball, in build-up, ain’t a problem. Off the ball, you’ve got work hard, make sure you’re at it 100 per cent.”
“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.”
Left-back delighted by Luke Shaw comparisons
Amass joined Man United last summer despite interest from Stamford Bridge.
The pathway to first-team football at Old Trafford was obviously something that appealed greatly to the England youth star, former Arsenal wonderkid Chido Obi Martin now opting to follow in Amass’ footsteps for similar reasons.
“Anything can happen at any time. Injuries come about and you’ve just got to take your chance when it comes,” adds Amass, who might soon be in contention for a first-team debut with Tyrell Malacia yet to return from his long-term lay-off.
“No conversations (with Ten Hag) have been had yet, but this pre-season is a chance to prove that if I am picked I can do it. We’ll see what happens when Luke and Tyrell come back. My intention is to play first-team football at this club.
“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.”
Amass, meanwhile, appears to already be developing a promising understanding with Marcus Rashford down the left-hand side.
It is no secret that Rashford tends to play his best football with a swashbuckling full-back making those overlapping runs and dragging defenders away. The absence of Shaw and Malacia goes some way to explaining why United’s number ten scored only eight goals last season.
“Playing with him makes it ten times easier. He is an unbelievable player,” Amass adds. “Link-up play, he gets it, he understands my game straight away.”
- READ MORE: Who is Marcus Rashford? Inside the life of Man Utd’s book-writing, government-tackling ace
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