Harry Amass: Norwich City blow apart transfer race for United starlet | OneFootball

Norwich City have emerged as a surprise frontrunner to sign Manchester United starlet Harry Amass on loan until the end of the season, according to a new report.

Impressing in the Championship

Amass broke into the first team at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim last season, with the Portuguese coach’s 3-4-2-1 system giving the attacking fullback a natural home on the left.

The 18-year-old is technically superb, possessing a wand of a left foot, a magical touch and excellent first-time passing. The way he moves with the ball at his feet even draws a parallel to Luke Shaw, who remains one of the Premier League’s most accomplished left-backs.

However, Amass is still developing the physical and defensive attributes to match his technique, despite his emergence in Amorim’s squad last year. It was decided, therefore, that the best step for his progression was a loan move to the Championship, with England’s second division offering the perfect environment for a youngster to hone their skills, particularly without the ball.

A host of clubs expressed interest in the London native, who came through Watford’s academy before joining the Red Devils in 2023. However, it was Sheffield Wednesday who won the race, with the Owls’ use of a 3-5-2 system understood to be key to this decision, given the similarities to Amorim’s system.

Amass endured a tough start to life in the Steel City, scoring an own goal on his debut in September against Bristol City. He did not let this deter him, however, as he firmly established himself in Henrik Pedersen’s side, playing virtually every match, while scoring one goal and providing another.

The youngster became a fan favourite at Hillsborough and was hugely popular with his new teammates, even picking up back-to-back Player of the Month awards for the club in November and December. Bizarrely, Amorim chose to describe Amass as “struggling” in the Championship at this point, when trying to justify his reluctance to use academy players—a moment which angered INEOS executives.

Wednesday were gutted to lose their “struggling” fullback this month when he returned to Old Trafford as United brought an end to his loan, with the Owls retaining hope of agreeing a new deal until the end of the season. Stoke City were considered the frontrunners to sign Amass; however, Watford were also interested in their former academy starlet, with Wednesday falling behind in the race.

From the Owls to the Canaries

In a sharp twist, however, Norwich have leapfrogged their Championship rivals and are understood to now be “closing in on a loan deal” for the defender, according to local paper Pink Un.

The report reveals the Canaries are in the market for a new left-back after first-choice Lucien Mahovo sustained a “significant” muscle injury, while the experienced Jeffrey Schlupp is also ruled out with a hamstring issue. Negotiations between the two clubs have tipped the balance in Norwich’s favour this week despite “interest from across the Championship”.

The 18-year-old was a notable absentee from United’s under-21 victory over Sporting CP last night—with Pink Un explaining this as confirmation he is on the verge of “completing his move to Carrow Road.”

Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirms the deal is “done and sealed” without any buy option clause, as United expect the youngster to challenge for a place at Old Trafford next season.

Norwich are currently 20th in the Championship, making the prospect of Amass joining a relegation candidate an odd one. However, the Canaries are on the up since Phillip Clement took over in November and have won four of their last five matches, decimating West Brom 5-0 last weekend.

The Belgian manager plays an expansive 4-2-3-1 system, similar to what Michael Carrick—and whoever is expected to take over this summer—will be coaching United to line up in now that the era of three-at-the-back has come to an end.

From this perspective, Norwich is an astute choice for Amass to continue his development while honing in on the intricacies of left-back in a back four, rather than wing-back in a back five.

Featured image Jess Hornby via Getty Images

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