Erik ten Hag says Harry Amass could follow Kobbie Mainoo by breaking into Manchester United’s squad this season, though the manager warned the 17-year-old left-back still has to develop his “big talent”.
With Luke Shaw injury prone and his deputy at left-back, Tyrell Malacia, out for two further months with a knee injury, a path has opened for Amass, who was signed last August from Watford.
After making his full Premier League debut in the 3-0 win over Everton in November, Mainoo established himself as first-choice and went on to impress for England at Euro 2024.
Ten Hag said: “He is not that far along now [as 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 in 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.”
Amass has impressed on United’s US summer tour with his blend of physicality, technique and attacking intent. In Wednesday’s 3-2 win over Real Betis at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium, he created Amad Diallo’s goal with a cross from the left and also executed robust tackles on Rodri and Héctor Bellerin.
Amass said of getting his chance on tour: “It’s probably happened quicker than I expected. But that’s the game, anything can happen at any time - injuries come about and you’ve just got to take your chance when it comes.”
Asked about the assist and his tackling, he said: “I enjoyed it. 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.
“No conversations have been had yet [with Ten Hag], 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 but 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.”
The 18-year-old forward Ethan Wheatley and the 20-year-old defensive midfielder Toby Collyer are also on the tour. The hamstring problem suffered by Rasmus Højlund, Ten Hag’s first-choice No 9, that has ruled him out for six weeks and Casemiro’s advancing years may also create opportunities for them.
Wheatley said: “The likes of Kobbie, playing with us less than a year ago and breaking into the first team inspires and motivates because we know the pathway is there. If we impress, get the chances that will be given at this club we’ll take them.”
Ten Hag attended the announcement of Collyer’s new contact this month. “That was a massive boost. It shows obviously he rates me as a player, just onwards and upwards really, just got to give my best every day and see what happens,” he said.
