Ten Hag tips 17 y/o left-back to break into Manchester United squad

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has hinted that left-back Harry Amass could become a regular fixture within the first-team this season.

As predicted on a recent episode of the Strettycast, the 2024/25 season could mark the breakthrough of a young left-back at Manchester United.

Amass, 17, was one of United’s best players during the pre-season tour of the United States, starting all three games. He stood up to the plate at a time when Ten Hag had no senior left-backs available.

Luke Shaw missed pre-season due to his European Championship commitments and Tyrell Malacia faces another two months out as he recovers from a serious knee injury, which kept the Netherlands international out of action for the entirety of last season.

Ten Hag believes Amass is close to the first-team but there are still factors at play. Amass needs to continue his development and prove himself to the coaches with a certain level of consistency.

“He is not that far along now [as Mainoo was] at this moment, but if we train him well, if we coach him well, then in three months it’s possible that he can be at that point,” Ten Hag said when asked about Amass’ chances ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, as quoted by The Guardian.

“But in this moment he needs to catch up and he has to develop some of the skills needed to play for Manchester United, when we are competing for the highest position in the league. But with big talent it can go very quickly and it is very interesting to see if he is capable of doing this.”

Amass won’t be sent on loan this summer, as per The Athletic, and it’s encouraging to hear Ten Hag talk about him in the same breathe as Mainoo.

Subscribe to the Stretty News podcast Strettycast for weekly episodes on Manchester United. You can also sign up to the ad-free Stretty Newsletter. Get the Stretty News verdict on all matters Manchester United.