Erik ten Hag revealed Man Utd's next prodigy after Garnacho and Mainoo three months ago

Harry Amass dazzled Manchester United supporters as he played a prominent part in pre-season on the back of his starring role in the Under-18s last term. Thus, confusion about the technically gifted left-back’s continued absence in Erik ten Hag’s matchday squads has been rife.

Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia’s continued injury woes have left Ten Hag without a natural left-back for most of 2024 and the entirety of this season so far.

Diogo Dalot has predominantly covered, with Noussair Mazraoui thrown straight into a regular right-back berth after his £17million summer arrival from Bayern Munich.

But the same question has lingered across the fanbase since August: when will one of the country’s brightest prospects get his chance?

Amass hasn’t yet joined the list of 251 academy stars to make their senior debut despite featuring on the bench seven times last season.

This season, he has made seven appearances for United’s Under-21s, marking progress in his development, but Ten Hag hasn’t named him in a single first-team matchday squad.

That is about to change.

Amass has been named in the Dutchman’s 20-man squad that travelled to Istanbul this afternoon. Tomorrow, Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce await in the Europa League.

And while there has been frustration about the 17-year-old’s absence this season, Ten Hag confirmed his development plan three months ago.

“He is not that far along now [as Kobbie Mainoo was] at this moment, but if we train him well, if we coach him well, then in three months it’s possible that he can be at that point,” Ten Hag told reporters.

“But in this moment, he needs to catch up, and he has to develop some of the skills needed to play for Manchester United, when we are competing for the highest position in the league.

“But with big talent it can go very quickly and it is very interesting to see if he is capable of doing this.”

Next week marks three months since those comments, notably lining up with Amass’ first senior involvement this term.

United have several hot prospects within the club’s youth ranks, but few have created as much of a stir as Amass.

The Red Devils’ seemingly permanent left-back crisis has undoubtedly intensified the thirst for him to become the third starlet to cement his first-team status under Ten Hag’s watch.

In the Dutchman’s first season, he established Alejandro Garnacho as a regular fixture in his team. Last term, it was Kobbie Mainoo’s turn to breakthrough for club and country.

If Amass’ opportunity is on the horizon, he could have what it takes to follow in the duo’s footsteps.