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Manchester United’s injury problems at left-back have been well-documented over the last two years but could the solution to their issues already be at Old Trafford? Harry Amass has been tipped for big things and featured regularly for United in pre-season but, perhaps surprisingly, still hasn’t made his senior debut.

That moment almost arrived for the Englishman aged just 15 when he was named on the bench for Watford against Reading in the FA Cup in January 2023. Amass was a regular for England at youth level and had gained a sizeable reputation with United beating Chelsea for his signature in the summer of 2023. Amass made the bench against Liverpool last season and he has targeted making his professional debut this season but there’s been recent speculation over his future.

How good is Harry Amass?

Amass was on the radar of England’s biggest club through his development at youth level at Watford before joining United. It was widely anticipated that the left-back would make his breakthrough into the first-team this season after impressing on United’s tour of the United States, especially against Real Betis and Arsenal.

Speaking on that tour, former boss Erik ten Hag said on Amass: “He is not that far along now [as Kobbie Mainoo was] at this moment, but if we train him well, if we coach him well, then in three months it’s possible that he can be at that point. But at this moment he needs to catch up and he has to develop some of the skills needed to play for Manchester United, when we are competing for the highest position in the league. But with big talent it can go very quickly and it is very interesting to see if he is capable of doing this.”

United’s two senior left-backs, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw, were unavailable for the majority of last season with the former missing the entire campaign. Neither player was fit for the season opener against Man City in the Community Shield and Amass was expected to start but Ten Hag left the youngster out of the squad completely. It’s understood that despite his incredible potential, there’s a feeling within United that Amass currently lacks the physical attributes to play senior football with Ruben Amorim concurring with that view. Despite Shaw earmarking Amass as his long-term successor, United are on the verge of signing another talented left-back in Diego León – an earlier Talents Calendar selection – which has raised doubts over the Englishman’s future.

How will Diego León’s arrival impact Harry Amass?

León will join United next summer in a deal worth around €5 million and that’s naturally led to speculation over Amass’ future as both left-backs are the same age. León, however, is an incredible physical specimen and has already experienced first-team football in his native Paraguay. But Amass possesses superior technical skills and he’s previously commented on his diminutive nature and the importance of compensating for that in his approach.

Speaking earlier this year, Amass 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”. In theory, Amass’ skillset is well-suited to the left wing-back role in Amorim’s system and there’s significant doubt over the futures of Malacia and Shaw. While the impending arrival of Leon is a fascinating development, Amass remains an incredible talent and a player to keep an eye on in 2025.

From December 1 to 24, we introduce new players from different countries born in 2007 and 2008. Area managers, users, and data scouts come into play as experts throughout the series. You can follow all those players by adding them to your TM watchlist.