Amass and Obi left out of United under-21s as deadline-day loans edge closer

Harry Amass and Chido Obi were conspicuously absent from Manchester United’s under-21 squad that defeated Leicester 4-1 on Monday evening, with the club understood to be finalising loan exits for both teenagers before the transfer deadline.

Amass, 19, did not travel with Adam Lawrence’s side despite being a regular presence in the youth setup. The left-back spent last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich City in the Championship, and while Burnley were previously linked, that interest is understood to have cooled. A loan move elsewhere before the 11pm cut-off remains the expectation, with Wolverhampton Wanderers also credited with interest in the England youth international. A permanent sale has not been ruled out.

Obi’s absence carried similar significance. The 18-year-old forward made history earlier this year when he became United’s youngest-ever Premier League starter, coming off the bench against Brentford in 2025 — less than 12 months after joining from Arsenal’s academy. Under-21 boss Lawrence had previously indicated that Obi’s development trajectory would determine whether the club sent him out on loan, and it now appears they have concluded that first-team experience elsewhere is the right next step.

“It was a conscious decision at the start of the season for Chido to concentrate his development in the academy environment,” Lawrence said earlier this year. “His level of progression and performance will dictate what happens in the summer.”

In the match itself, Shea Lacey scored twice for United’s under-21s, with Amir Ibragimov and JJ Gabriel also on the scoresheet in the comfortable victory over Leicester.

Speaking ahead of deadline day, United manager Michael Carrick suggested further business remained possible, expressing satisfaction with the arrivals of Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos, Karl Darlow and Carlos Baleba while leaving the door open for more activity.