This week has seen it emerge that Manchester United are open to selling Harry Amass for a paltry £6m this summer, but this clearly isn’t what Michael Carrick wants.
Pre-season so far has been the Harry Amass show, as the 19-year-old has returned, and his performance level has been incredibly high. Amass has proven he can hang and could be ready to share the load with Luke Shaw.
However, United disagrees.
It has since emerged United are open to selling Amass for a fee of just £6m, which is a laughable idea that can only possibly age poorly. Put simply, Amass cannot be allowed to leave, especially for so little, as he is already and will be worth so much more.
Much of the pre-season use of Amass shows Michael Carrick actually agrees.
Manchester United v AFC Wrexham - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
What is YOUR reaction to Man United’s £6m valuation of Harry Amass?
According to The Athletic, Man United are ready to sell Harry Amass this summer for as little as £6 million!
Michael Carrick has been treating Harry Amass like a first-teamer this summer
Before the stories around Amass being sold, United fans’ verdict on his future was clear. In a poll, United fans voted to keep Amass instead of signing Lewis Hall, which says it all.
But the Daily Mail has doubled down, reporting that United have decided Amass won’t be playing for the first-team this season, which is prompting the sale rumours.
This could simply be the club pushing this out there to gauge interest, but despite the club’s stance. There is another side to this, which suggests that Carrick could completely disagree.
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Amass has played a pretty substantial role for United during pre-season, with Carrick giving him the second-half against Wrexham. He then gave him 45 minutes against Rosenborg, which was more of a blessing because Amass was one of two changes at the break.
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This indicated that Amass was going to play a big part under Carrick, as he was getting equal minutes with Shaw. So to go from this to being sold in just a few days doesn’t add up.
If Ineos are trying to sell without Carrick’s blessing, it would be awful news, but it is something that the United head coach can combat by playing Amass and giving the 19-year-old opportunity to make his own destiny.
Carrick has been treating Amass like he envisions him as part of his squad for the coming season, so United can’t turn on this and get rid of Amass, unless there is a grander plan at play, potentially involving Lewis Hall and putting a buy-back option on Amass.
If you could only choose one, should Man Utd buy Lewis Hall or promote Harry Amass?
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Michael Carrick can silence Harry Amass exit rumours vs Atletico Madrid
This weekend is United’s third pre-season fixture, and it could be the most telling yet as to which youth players Carrick has plans for long-term.
With World Cup players slowly returning, getting a big chunk of minutes against Diego Simeone’s side would suggest they aren’t there to make up the numbers.
If Amass gets another half, it would be hard to imagine Carrick is expecting him to leave.
In addition, against proper top European competition, Amass can make a statement by impressing, making himself undeniable, and forcing the club to re-evaluate this.
Regardless of whether this happens or not, United can’t let him leave for just £6m and needs to agree a new contract this summer to strengthen its position.
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