Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Harry Amass is leaving no stone unturned to catch Michael Carrick’s eye this season, and the club have unintentionally helped him.
It came as a shock to Man Utd fans recently when it was reported that Harry Amass was on the market for just £6m.
Forget the laughable asking price; the fact is that Amass shone last season on loan and is clearly a better player who has earned minutes under Michael Carrick in every pre-season game.
As the sword of a sale hangs over Amass’ head, the very club that wants to sell him has inadvertently boosted his prospects of staying at Old Trafford.
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Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
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Man Utd leaving it too late for Lewis Hall
The left-back operation at Man Utd is going to be a case of “one in, and one out”, which is where Amass is in a position of power.
Man Utd have Lewis Hall as their clear No. 1 target, and if there’s anything to take from Newcastle’s season, it’s that they will sell players who want to leave.
However, that was the case with Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimaraes, who are three of their most important players.
Having sold them all, and keeping in mind the one-sided rivalry with Man Utd, will they really let another one leave the club, especially for United?
Hall could have signed had United approached before they concluded all these sales, but a difficult deal back then looks borderline impossible right now.
United have left it too late for their pursuit of Hall, and that will have a direct domino effect on the future of Amass.
Hall’s arrival would trigger Harry Amass’ departure
Amass’ departure is unlikely to be sanctioned without the arrival of a new LB, especially if Patrick Dorgu continues on the wing instead.
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Luke Shaw can’t be relied upon to repeat his fitness feat of last season with four competitions this year, and Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are not natural in that position.
Amass has already shown enough that he can be relied upon to play the backup role, and with Shaw’s contract expiring next summer, a breakout is on the cards.
All he needs is a chance, and if Hall doesn’t arrive, the club will have no option but to give him that.
The club can then revisit this position next summer, when they will have clarity over Shaw’s form and fitness, a full season of seeing Harry Amass, and Hall would be easier to sign.
For now, it looks like United moving slowly for Hall is going to age as an unintentional bit of brilliant squad planning.