Erik ten Hag should trust Harry Amass in Luke Shaw’s absence
Manchester United’s season has been significantly disrupted by injuries, and unfortunately, the trend shows no signs of abating. Despite some recent returns to action for Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, and Casemiro, the team continues to face setbacks on the injury front.
Martinez, who recently made a comeback, sustained another injury during the match against West Ham and is expected to remain sidelined until at least March, raising doubts about his availability for the remainder of the season.
Similarly, Luke Shaw’s return was short-lived, as he was substituted at halftime during the Aston Villa game. Although he was included in the lineup against Luton Town, concerns persist about the severity of his injury, suggesting a prolonged absence may be in store.
Luke Shaw 23 of Manchester United, ManU during the Premier League match between Luton Town and Manchester United at Kenilworth Road, Luton, England on 18 February 2024. Copyright: xDavidxHornx PMI-6097-0336
Shaw’s injury setback poses a significant blow to Manchester United, potentially ruling him out for the remainder of the season. With Alvaro Fernandez currently on loan at Benfica and Sergio Reguilon now at Brentford, the club finds itself short of options at left-back.
Under normal circumstances, manager Erik ten Hag would likely deploy Diogo Dalot on the left flank. However, recent concerns surrounding Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s fitness have prompted Victor Lindelof to fill in at full-back in the last two matches.
Unfortunately, Lindelof’s performances in this position have been less than satisfactory, evident in his inability to win any aerial duels during his 90 minutes on the field, as highlighted by statistics from Sofascore. This glaring weakness is a vulnerability that opponents are likely to exploit in future matches.
Given the inadequacies of Lindelof and other makeshift options like Sofyan Amrabat, Manchester United must urgently address their left-back dilemma to avoid further defensive vulnerabilities.
Ten Hag has recently included 16-year-old Harry Amass in training sessions, with the young talent once again spotted on Thursday ahead of Manchester United’s upcoming match against Fulham.
Despite his youth and relative inexperience, Amass appears to be the most suitable option to address the left-back position’s challenges, particularly when compared to makeshift solutions that have struggled to adapt to the role.
Amass deserves a chance
Harry Amass (right)
Amass, a summer signing from Watford, has already showcased his potential by breaking into the U21 squad. With his promising performances and contributions to the U18s, including a goal and three assists, it’s evident that he outgrows his current level of competition.
While there may be reservations about thrusting a 16-year-old into the senior squad, United’s academy has demonstrated the impact young talents can have, as seen with Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho. Therefore, Amass deserves at least a place on the bench, and if needed, Ten Hag should not hesitate to provide him with valuable minutes on the pitch, especially if Lindelof or Amrabat encounter difficulties.
