Manchester United is reportedly looking to bolster its defensive line, particularly the full-back position, amidst ongoing concerns regarding Luke Shaw's consistent fitness. Yet, a former player, Charlie McNeill, has highlighted an existing talent within Old Trafford, Harry Amass, suggesting he possesses the necessary skills to excel and fulfill the role, potentially negating the need for external acquisitions.
This summer, the club's primary focus has been on revitalizing the midfield. Significant progress has been made with the acquisition of Atalanta midfielder Ederson, and discussions are advancing for Mateus Fernandes of West Ham, indicating a clear strategy to reinforce the central areas. However, attention is now shifting towards strengthening the defense. With Patrick Dorgu transitioning into a winger under Michael Carrick, Luke Shaw remains the sole experienced left-back. Despite Shaw's commendable, injury-free season in which he featured in every Premier League match, the club acknowledges that the upcoming season's increased fixture demands, including Champions League football, will necessitate careful management of his playing time to prevent a recurrence of past injury issues.
Consequently, United has been exploring options for a younger left-back, with Lewis Hall from Newcastle United and Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal identified as leading contenders. Additionally, Nathaniel Brown from Eintracht Frankfurt and Alejandro Balde from Barcelona are also being considered as potential European targets. However, Charlie McNeill, a former United academy graduate now playing for Sheffield Wednesday, has strongly advocated for Amass, whom he describes as a "ridiculous" talent with the capability to thrive at the club.
Amass, who joined Manchester United from Watford's academy in 2023, quickly made an impression, breaking into the senior squad last year under Ruben Amorim and making ten appearances, including a debut against Leicester City. Following pre-season training, a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday was arranged to further his development. His time there was highly successful, earning him back-to-back Player of the Month awards in November and December, and standing out as a bright spot in what was otherwise a challenging season for the Yorkshire team.
Despite Sheffield Wednesday's desire to retain him, Amass returned to United in January, subsequently joining Norwich City on a new loan deal. Unfortunately, a promising start at Carrow Road was cut short by a severe hamstring injury shortly after his debut, ending his season prematurely. Nevertheless, McNeill, who was his teammate at Hillsborough, was profoundly impressed by Amass's abilities, describing him as "a joke, honestly. He's so good, on the ball he's ridiculous and he's not shy of putting a tackle in." McNeill, who departed the Red Devils in 2024 for Sheffield Wednesday, firmly believes that Amass is "good enough to have a future" at Old Trafford, having witnessed his exceptional talent firsthand.
Amass demonstrates exceptional technical prowess and ball control, qualities that draw comparisons to Shaw. While there have been questions about his physical readiness, he has made significant progress in this area, particularly through his dedicated rehabilitation efforts during recent months. He is expected to have an opportunity to prove his worth during pre-season training for Carrick's squad. If McNeill's assessment proves accurate, Amass could potentially save INEOS, the club's new management, a considerable sum in the transfer market this summer, especially considering that Lewis Hall, a player with a similar skillset and a primary target, is valued at approximately £70 million.
