Erik ten Hag is looking for this season’s ‘surprise’ and there is a clear option at Manchester United who could save the club millions.
This summer Manchester United has a few positions which need reinforcement, with four in particular said to be taking priority for Erik ten Hag’s side.
One of these positions is left-back, which proved a real problem area last season for the club as Tyrell Malacia spent the entirety of the season out injured, while Luke Shaw missed a whopping 34 games with injury.
Due to this, it’s little surprise United want to sign a left-back. With Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez being linked, along with Turkey’s Ferdi Kadioglu.
But now Ineos has been quoted £45m to sign the latter of those two names according to a report from AS Marca. So now this could be the perfect time for an academy player to make the leap.
Harry Amass can save Manchester United £45m this summer
With a move for a left-back looking unreasonably expensive this summer, United should and possibly could look closer to home for a solution.
This has been done before with Ten Hag using the academy to strengthen the first team. The manager has already hinted that he’s looking for a ‘surprise’ player for the upcoming season to follow Kobbie Mainoo’s footsteps.
Harry Amass therefore could be in a prime position to capitalise and make himself the solution at left-back that United needs.
The 17-year-old is still very young, but his physical traits have him well-placed for a seamless transition into the men’s game, and has already been a part of several match-day squads which indicates Ten Hag likes what he sees.
Pre-season has also seen Amass handed a new squad number of 41, which suggests he is in the Dutchman’s plans this coming season – potentially.
It’s in the tradition of the club to utilise the youth and with the talent Amass has, it’s only a matter of time until he overtakes Malacia – if he’s ever fit – and would be an excellent understudy for Shaw at least this season.
Amass can show he’s ready this preseason
It has emerged that despite it now being around 12 months since his injury, Malacia remains unfit and isn’t in preseason training. Due to this and the fact Shaw is at the Euros with England, Amass seems a shoo-in to face Rosenborg on Monday.
As preseason kicks off, we do not doubt that Amass will be on the tour with the senior players as he is the most senior left-back at the club available right now.
If given the chance, Amass has the ability to make Ten Hag forget the name Kadioglu and earn his spot in the first team going forward.
In doing so, he could save Ineos £45m, an amount which would be better served in other positions with several requiring attention this summer.