Manchester United have decided not to allow academy defender Harry Amass to leave the club this summer, despite supporters urging the club to sign an additional left-back.
The 19-year-old is now expected to stay at Manchester United and provide cover in the position, according to Sky Sports News. The decision represents a change from earlier reports that the club was prepared to sanction either a permanent transfer or another loan move for Amass.
Manchester United’s need for depth at left-back has become a growing concern among fans. Luke Shaw is currently regarded as the team’s only natural option in that position, leading supporters to call for the club to strengthen before the transfer window closes.
The decision to keep Amass comes after he spent last season away from Manchester United on loan. He played for Sheffield Wednesday before moving to Norwich, where he made only one appearance.
Although Amass has limited senior experience, Manchester United have now opted to retain him as part of the squad rather than allow him to depart for a second successive season. That move gives Michael Carrick’s side another player capable of providing cover at left-back, even though the club’s supporters continue to want an established signing in the position.
Manchester United have already made significant changes in midfield during the summer. Carrick’s side have completed an impressive rebuild in that area by signing Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba.
Those additions have strengthened the midfield options, but fans believe other parts of the squad have not received the same attention. Left-back has been identified as the most obvious area of concern, particularly with Shaw the only natural player available there.
Amass’s expected stay therefore addresses the shortage internally rather than through a new transfer. The decision does not remove the concerns raised by supporters, who have been asking Manchester United to recruit another left-back, but it means the academy graduate is set to remain with the first-team group instead of leaving permanently or returning to the loan market.
Sky Sports News’ report confirms that the club’s position has changed from the expectation that Amass would leave this summer. For now, Manchester United appear to have chosen to keep the teenager as cover while relying on the existing squad at left-back.
His previous campaign, split between Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich, produced just one appearance for Norwich. Despite that limited involvement, Amass is now expected to remain at Manchester United as the club continues to assess its options in the position.