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Ruben Amorim handed debuts to three Manchester United academy graduates last season — Chido Obi, Tyler Fredricson and Harry Amass.
The left-back was supposed to make his breakthrough under former manager Erik ten Hag, only for the Dutchman to opt against handing him any minutes due to his lack of physicality.
Owing to injuries, Amorim had to throw the then-17-year-old into the deep end last term, with the defender eventually making seven appearances in all competitions.
This time around, he will have Patrick Dorgu ahead of him in the pecking order while Luke Shaw is also back to full fitness, looking as lean as ever.
Left wingback options
On top of that, the club have also recruited the highly-regarded Diego Leon from Cerro Porteno, with the Paraguayan expected to be in and around the first team in the upcoming campaign.
For now, Harry Amass is ahead of Leon in the pecking order, but who knows, the ferocious South American might pip him in the pecking order.
Ruben Amorim is expected to take both along during the club’s pre-season tour of the United States, and a final call will be taken after that.
And as per The Athletic, the Red Devils are preparing for that eventuality, and are planning to send the ex-Watford academy starlet out on loan in that case.
“One who benefited from Amorim having to balance resources between domestic and European fixtures in the previous campaign’s final weeks was Harry Amass, also 18 and a direct rival to Leon as left wing-back cover.
Amass loan?
“Amass is currently thought to be ahead of the newcomer in the pecking order for that position, which was not necessarily a given in January, but is only to be expected given the 17-year-old made four starts towards the end of last season and rarely looked out of place.
“There is still a possibility that Amass goes out on loan, however, if it transpires his playing time is likely to be limited as a result of Leon’s arrival. Amorim has two talented youngsters to provide cover for first-choice Patrick Dorgu, as well as Luke Shaw’s experience if required.”
It must be remembered that the 20-time English league champions have far fewer games this campaign and that could lead to the England U18 international’s career stalling.
So a loan move might not be the worst call. Last season, Amass played with a lot of heart but was not always the most comfortable physically and his game resembles that of a full-back rather than a wingback.
So, with Dorgu, Shaw, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui there, along with Leon, Amass could find himself at a new temporary home, where he will earn more minutes and can bulk up more to be ready for future seasons.
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