Harry Amass set to leave Manchester United in January despite Carrick's injury crisis at left-back

Manchester United are set to allow teenage left-back Harry Amass to leave in the January transfer window, despite an injury crisis that has left manager Michael Carrick short of options on the left flank, according to a report from the Daily Mail.

Amass, 19, joined United in 2023 from Watford’s academy and is regarded as one of the club’s most promising young players. He made a brief cameo in United’s 4-0 win over Sabah, coming on in the 71st minute, but first-team opportunities have remained scarce throughout the season.

The timing is notable given the pressure Carrick is under at the back. Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu are both sidelined through injury, as is left-footed centre-back Lisandro Martinez. Rather than turn to Amass, Carrick has opted to use right-backs Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui out of position on the left side.

United had considered loaning or selling Amass last summer but held back after failing to sign a senior left-back. With that window now closed, the expectation has shifted toward a January departure, with up to a dozen Championship clubs reported to be monitoring his situation. Burnley had shown interest last summer but did not follow through.

Amass demonstrated his quality during a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday last season, making 21 appearances and contributing one goal and one assist. He also claimed the 2024-25 Jimmy Young Player of the Year award at United.

Carrick, speaking publicly, stopped short of closing the door on the teenager. “For sure. I mean, that’s why Harry’s with us,” the United manager said when asked whether Amass was in line for more opportunities. “He’s right in contention and, at some point, young players need an opportunity, and it’s just finding the right time.”

Carrick added that several academy players are competing for that breakthrough moment. “There’s maybe four, five, six of them that are trying to make that next step really in terms of getting into the team and trying to start games, and Harry’s definitely one of them.”

United’s League Cup exit — a 3-2 home defeat to Brighton in the third round — further reduced the number of matches in which fringe players like Amass might have expected minutes, making a loan move in January an increasingly logical outcome for all parties.