Michael Carrick is putting his Man Utd players through the paces, and the latest training session makes it clear that Harry Amass will have a big role to play this season.
The pre-season for Man Utd started with a 0-1 loss to Wrexham, but Michael Carrick would have been convinced that the kids are alright.
Harry Amass stood out in particular, showing off what he learned from the rigours of the Championship last season.
If Carrick’s latest training session is any indication, Amass is going to be a big part of what the Man Utd manager is doing at Carrington.
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Harry Amass’ crucial role under Michael Carrick
Much has been written about Carrick trying to get United to play more on the front foot this season, after getting them into the UCL with a transition-based style.
Carrick’s style of play is front-footed anyway, as anyone who saw his Middlesbrough side will attest to.
He’s starting to put those same prints at United now with the benefit of a pre-season, be it intense work with the ball or the latest drill.
In the latest training video uploaded by United, players can be seen receiving the ball in the half space out wide, where they have to play a first-time pass to an overlapping full-back making a curved run.
The full-back is then supposed to cross the ball first-time into the box, with a small net stationed exactly where the cross needs to go.
Harry Amass is the most attack-minded full-back in the Man Utd squad, for either side, so if Carrick is going to implement this attacking pattern during the game, he’ll play a key role.
In the video, wingers like JJ Gabriel and Shea Lacey also took part in this drill, but with United having inside forwards more than traditional wingers, that overlapping full-back becomes more important.
Carrick is adding layers towards his ideal vision
Carrick’s compromise on his playing style was visible as soon as he received a permanent contract last season.
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In the game immediately after, two ball-playing midfielders were stationed in the pivot against Brighton, as Carrick prioritised technical ability over a destroyer.
The signings of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans work towards the same vision of controlled possession and front-footed play.
The overlapping full-back is the next layer, which will benefit Amass more than anybody else.
Last season, Carrick had to play Patrick Dorgu on the wing because he needed defensive solidity, while keeping width to stretch the pitch horizontally.
This season, he feels more confident in the team’s structure, where he can push the winger inside and let the full-back overlap to increase attacking numbers.
He’s another step closer to his ideal vision for the team, and Amass could be set for a breakout season as a result.
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