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Manchester United are in the middle of a full-blown injury crisis at the back with both Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans limping off during the match against Chelsea.
While manager Erik ten Hag did not mention the severity, it is unlikely the duo will be involved against Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The club was rocked by news of Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof both suffering injuries in the build-up to the game at Stamford Bridge. The medical team and the manager deserve blame for the handling of these mounting injuries.
That leaves former captain Harry Maguire and academy youngster Willy Kambwala as the only specialist options at the Dutchman’s disposal.
Defensive crisis
The club is also without a specialist left-back with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot taking turns playing in that position recently.
Ten Hag might turn to the academy to fill up the matchday squad roles and according to reputed X account Academy Scoop, young Harry Amass might be in line to receive his first call-up to the first team.
The 17-year-old has already trained with the first team on more than a few occasions, and his exploits for the United U18s have shown he has the talent to forge a bright future for himself at the club.
Harry Amass has a strong chance of receiving his premier first-team call-up tomorrow afternoon when Manchester United face Liverpool at Old Trafford.
The seventeen-year-old left-back was absent from under-18 action today, instead taking part in first team training. pic.twitter.com/OGaZiEMpqG
— SCOOP. (@AcademyScoop) April 6, 2024
“Harry Amass has a strong chance of receiving his premier first-team call-up tomorrow afternoon when Manchester United face Liverpool at Old Trafford.
“The seventeen-year-old left-back was absent from under-18 action today, instead taking part in first team training,” the X (formerly Twitter) post read.
The England U17 international was not part of the United U18 team that dismantled Liverpool 9-1 on Saturday but it must be remembered that the U21s also play on Sunday, after the first team is done, and that could also be a reason.
Amass call-up
Whatever be the case, Amass has shown his ability for the U18s, playing 16 times for them in his first campaign at Carrington, scoring once and registering three assists. Adam Lawrence’s team are leading the table and have lost only once this term.
The left-back has also played in two UEFA Youth League games and has been promoted to the U21s, where he has made one appearance. He recently signed his first professional deal with the club.
Academy graduates like Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo have been the rare bright spots in a difficult campaign and Ten Hag knows he can trust the academy structure to provide solutions when needed.
The likes of Dan Gore, and Omari Forson have both made their debuts this season alongside Kambwala with the manager not afraid of turning to youngsters.
Amass might not start but sitting on the bench and soaking in the Old Trafford atmosphere for a high-voltage clash will be the perfect next step in his development. A first-ever appearance this season could be likely at this rate.
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