Exclusive: Exciting Man Utd 17-Year-Old ‘Not Ready for Breakout Season’

Manchester United starlet Harry Amass was not included in the matchday squad for the Carabao Cup hammering of Barnsley as boss Erik ten Hag has decided that the Old Trafford youngster is not ready to enjoy a breakthrough season in the first-team, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.

Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Christian Eriksen grabbed braces, while Antony got his name on the scoresheet from the penalty spot, as the Red Devils cruised to their biggest victory since the Dutch tactician took charge thanks to completing a 7-0 rout of their League One opponents earlier this week.

Although Manuel Ugarte was handed the opportunity to make his first start since joining Manchester United in a deal worth up to £50.5million from Paris Saint-Germain during the closing stages of the summer transfer window, Amass was unable to work his way into ten Hag’s plans for the encounter.

Amass Must Develop Further Before Selection

Red Devils feel teen needs to prepare for higher level of physicality

Amass is not on course to enjoy a breakout season at Manchester United during the current campaign as ten Hag is adamant that he needs to continue developing his game before being ready for first-team action, according to GMS sources, which resulted in fellow youngster Toby Collyer getting the nod to start at left-back against Barnsley.

The 17-year-old was named on the bench seven times last term, including for the FA Cup semi-final clash with Coventry City, but he is still seeking his senior debut and will be forced to remain patient in the coming months as he is not at the forefront of the Red Devils’ plans despite Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia remaining on the treatment table.

Although there was some surprise within the Manchester United fanbase at Amass’ omission from the matchday squad when Barnsley headed to Old Trafford, GMS sources have been informed that there is a feeling behind the scenes that he needs more time to prepare for the level of physicality at the top level, along with the amount of pressure and expectation.

Harry Amass’ statistics at youth level

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Yellow cards

Sent off

Manchester United under-18s

17

1

3

3

0

Manchester United under-21s

6

0

3

3

0

Manchester United under-19s

2

0

0

0

0

Watford under-18s

2

0

0

0

0

Statistics correct as of 18/09/2024

The exciting left-sided full-back enjoyed a decent pre-season as he was involved with the first-team squad, but his only game time since the campaign got underway has come in the form of three appearances for the Red Devils’ under-21 squad, and he grabbed an assist in a Bristol Street Motors Trophy win over Barnsley.

Manchester United technical director Jason Wilcox was eager for the likes of Amass to be involved during the closing stages of last term as he was keen to assess whether he should be considered a first-team squad member, GMS previously reported, but ten Hag chose to head in an alternative direction as he chased European qualification and FA Cup glory.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Harry Amass registered 82 per cent pass accuracy, won nine ground duels, completed seven tackles and made four key passes during Manchester United’s Bristol Street Motors Trophy win over Barnsley last month

Ten Hag Still Viewing Amass as Future Talent

Left-back will be handed opportunities further down the line

Although Amass is not currently in the first-team picture at Manchester United, meaning he is not in contention to be involved against Crystal Palace on Saturday, GMS sources have been told that there are still high hopes for the teenager to make a name for himself at Old Trafford and eventually progress into the forefront of ten Hag’s plans.

The former Watford sensation, who was named in the matchday squad once before leaving Vicarage Road for the Red Devils, has been pinpointed as having a bright future ahead of him after there has been the success of academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo making the leap into senior action within the last 12 months.

But Amass is being forced to continue playing the waiting game before being handed a chance, and GMS sources understand that there will be opportunities further down the line as there is belief within Manchester United that he has the ability to eventually work his way into the picture amid Shaw and Malacia’s ongoing injury issues.

Manchester United have just unlocked the key to giving Kobbie Mainoo his sparkle back

Kobbie Mainoo was rested against Barnsley and should return to Man United’s starting team this weekend.

Kobbie Mainoo had a smile on his face and was in a playful mood on Tuesday night.

When Mainoo walked out of the tunnel, he tapped Noussair Mazraoui on the right shoulder and the defender quickly turned around, thinking it was Joshua Zirkzee who had done it.

Mainoo burst out laughing and appeared to say “it was me,” to Mazraoui. The youngster was named on the bench against Barnsley in the third round of the Carabao Cup, but he was in high spirits and should greatly benefit from the opportunity to have a rest ahead of the weekend.

This time last year, Mainoo was still recovering from an ankle injury that he sustained in pre-season and his last 12 months have been nothing short of extraordinary.

Roy Keane is right about Alejandro Garnacho – but he offers Manchester United so much more

Mainoo has become a first-team star, the club have opened talks to give him a new contract to reflect his new-found importance and he was brilliant for England during the latter stages of Euro 2024.

The 19-year-old’s rise has been sensational and not a surprise to those who know him best, but it has inevitably come with an increased workload and higher expectations.

Since making his full Premier League debut at Goodison Park last November, Mainoo has been played in almost every United game and his season was extended due to England duty.

Mainoo has been on the go for a long time and although he was given an extended break in the summer after England reached the final of Euro 2024, he still had less time to reset and recharge ahead of the new campaign than players in the squad who didn’t play for their nations.

A source close to Ten Hag conceded that Mainoo had been overplayed last season but said it was necessary. Ideally, a youngster from the academy would be gently bedded into the starting team, but Mainoo was thrown into the deep end and he was able to swim, thankfully.

Mainoo is an exceptional talent and United have a duty to handle him with his long-term future in mind, which means giving him starts but being conscious of managing his workload.

He should be able to start each week in the Premier League, but it was the right decision to rest him in the early rounds of the Carabao Cup against Barnsley and having the occasional rest will help Mainoo get his sparkle back, along with the arrival of Manuel Ugarte.

The blame game began after the Liverpool defeat before the international break and a few fans pointed the finger at Mainoo, questioning his role in the midfield problem.

However, the truth is Mainoo has been forced to play alongside Casemiro for too long now and the Brazilian’s decline combined with Ten Hag’s failure to address the structural issues in the centre of the pitch hasn’t seen him at his best in the opening weeks of the season.

A source told the MEN earlier this year that Mainoo ‘loves’ to play with Casemiro because he has more of a licence to take up prominent midfield positions, but the 32-year-old’s decline has been drastic and Ugarte is expected to fill that role, playing just behind the academy product.

With a rest in midweek and Ugarte expected to start against Crystal Palace this weekend, Mainoo should give the best possible account of himself and look back to his very best.

That’s not to say Mainoo has been poor this season because he’s done well in the circumstances, but the set-up around him hasn’t been right and it will now only help him to shine more.

United have a special talent on their hands and supporters won’t mind seeing Mainoo rested in certain cup fixtures to get the very best out of him in the biggest games.

Man United already know the identity of their first transfer next summer

Ever since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group took over footballing operations at Man United, the club have seemed much more streamlined in that regard.

There’s an alignment that had long been missing whilst the Glazer family took charge of that area, however, with the right people now in place, everyone appears to be pulling in the same direction.

From Erik ten Hag’s point of view, that should make his life so much easier. He identifies a target, advises sporting director, Dan Ashworth, who will then take the request to the wider board and things move forward on that basis.

Man United already working on summer transfers

What that means in practice of course is that the Dutchman’s choices are brought into much sharper focus, and the players will be expected to be of the standard expected by the club.

There’s simply no hiding place any longer – both for the players and ten Hag.

Whether or not he is still in the dug out come the end of the season will only be seen by how well his team perform over the coming months.

One player is certain to leave the club regardless, with Fichajes noting that the club already know the identity of the first transfer that will take place next summer.

According to the outlet, Christian Eriksen will be first out of the Old Trafford exit door, with it expected that the Dane will find himself alternative employment.

Though he’s never really set the world alight at Old Trafford, nor has he been the worst signing that the club have ever made.

When one considers his prior health issues too, it’s a wonder that he’s been able to make any sort of impact at United.

Eriksen’s advancing years and the fact that the club have younger and better players for his position means that a move should benefit all parties.