Harry Amass warms up with Ethan Wheatley ahead of a Europa League tie at Old Trafford.
Harry Amass (left) could make his competitive debut on Thursday evening.
Few players attracted more attention on Manchester United's pre-season tour of the United States last summer than Harry Amass.
With Luke Shaw granted an extended summer break after representing England at the European Championship and Tyrell Malacia still recovering from a long-term knee injury, Amass was elected as United's first-choice left-back.
He started all three of their stateside friendlies, impressing on each occasion. He was particularly bright in the 3-2 win over Real Betis in San Diego, sending over a brilliant cross that led to Amad scoring United's second goal.
But despite the impressive nature of the former Watford youngster's performances, his wait for his competitive debut is still ongoing. He has been included in six matchday squads this season but has remained an unused substitute on each occasion.
However, he has the chance to break that cycle against Real Sociedad this evening after being included in head coach Ruben Amorim's 18-man squad that has travelled to Spain for the first leg of United's Europa League last-16 tie.
United's squad is currently plagued by injuries, so much so that tonight's substitute bench will consist of just seven players - two of which will be inexperienced goalkeepers.
With that in mind, Amass may never get a better opportunity to make his United bow. Patrick Dorgu will make a brief return from his domestic suspension this evening, meaning he is highly likely to start at left wing-back, but Amass will be primed to provide cover from the bench.
The wing-back department has been a problematic position for United throughout the season amid Shaw's injury woes and Malacia's unsuitability to the wing-back role. The latter is spending the rest of the season at PSV Eindhoven after leaving Old Trafford on loan in January.
Dorgu was drafted in from Lecce last month to solve United's problems down their left flank and his first few outings, aside from the challenge that saw him get sent-off against Ipswich Town last week, have been encouraging.
However, he will be absent for Sunday's Premier League clash with Arsenal and the trip to Leicester City, meaning Amass will be chomping at the bit to stake a claim to fill in for the Danish international.
United considered sending Amass, 17, out on loan in the January transfer window in a bid to give him some much-needed first-team exposure. He has not played a competitive game at senior level in his career thus far.
Amass, who has drawn comparisons with AC Milan and France star Theo Hernandez in the past, is renowned for his desire to get forward and his attacking profile makes him a potentially attractive option for Amorim's three-at-the-back system. He is technically excellent on the ball and his crossing ability was there for all to see in pre-season.
Of course, United have to handle any youngster's development slowly and with extreme care, factoring in numerous variables, but considering just how thin on the ground they are at the moment, Amass is worthy of an opportunity to prove his worth, even if it only amounts to a small cameo via the bench.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference at the Reale Arena on Wednesday night, Amorim admitted he would have included Amass in his matchday squad against Fulham on Sunday had he not featured for the Under-18s against Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup less than 48 hours earlier.
"Amass is here today, in the last game against Fulham we want Amass also but because he played all the game against Arsenal he was not in our squad," said Amorim.
Amorim's hunger to include Amass in his plans against Fulham, although almost probably triggered by Dorgu's unavailability, suggests the United chief rates the youngster highly. His performances in pre-season were eye-catching and a debut is long overdue.
Chido Obi has recently made the step up to the first-team and has offered glimpses of his capabilities, and there is no reason why Amass cannot do the same. An opportunity is the very least he deserves.