In a surprising turn of events, Manchester United's Harry Amass boldly reacted to recent criticisms from Ruben Amorim, but he quickly retracted his statement. The controversy erupted when Amorim made pointed remarks about the quality of players emerging from United's academy, particularly in light of the upcoming match against Bournemouth.
Amass, alongside fellow academy graduates Tyler Fredricson and Chido Obi, is one of the few young players who have made their first-team debuts for Manchester United since Amorim took over a year ago. This situation marks a significant shift from the club's long-standing tradition of nurturing homegrown talent. During his critique, Amorim specifically referenced players like Kobbie Mainoo and Toby Collyer, raising eyebrows among fans and insiders alike.
"He (Collyer) played (for United). He's from the academy. He played here," Amorim stated. "He went to West Bromwich. He's not playing. He played for Manchester United. So sometimes it's not because he's from the academy or whatever. It's the situation, what's happened. I don't know what is going to be the future (for Mainoo). Let's see after this match. Amass is now struggling in the Championship. Chido is not always a starter in under-21s. All these guys played when a lot of people were saying sack the manager!"
The backlash from these comments was palpable among United supporters, and it seems to have struck a nerve with Amass as well. The 18-year-old left-back, currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, has been shining despite his team's struggles, which include severe financial issues leading to point deductions that have positioned them at the bottom of the Championship table.
In response to Amorim’s remarks, Amass shared an image on his Instagram story showcasing his November player of the month award from Wednesday. However, sensing potential repercussions from his current club, he later deleted the post.
Having made only seven appearances for the United first team since his debut in March, Amass was loaned out to gather more playing experience. Under Amorim’s guidance, other players like Patrick Dorgu and Diogo Dalot have filled the left wingback position.
So far, Amass has made 15 appearances for Sheffield Wednesday, contributing one goal and one assist. While Amorim's views might cast doubt on his development, Owls' manager Henrik Pedersen has expressed confidence in Amass’s growth.
"I think he has had a fantastic development," Pedersen remarked recently. "A bit like Charlie [McNeill], a big talent, but what is big talent? With young players, we know they can do something, and then they are a little bit sometimes good, sometimes not good. Sometimes there’s a big difference in the level of the performance."
Pedersen continued, "I think Harry started the season very well, but then he had a slight dip in form. However, in the last five or six games, he has shown remarkable strength. He performs well, and he collaborates effectively with his teammates, as no one can achieve success alone. Harry has had a fantastic season so far, and I’m confident we will do everything possible to retain him. It seems like this is a mutually beneficial arrangement for both him and United at the moment."
As the conversation around the state of Manchester United’s youth development continues, it raises some important questions: Are the concerns raised by Amorim valid, or do they overlook the talents and potential of young players like Amass? What do you think about the current direction of the club's academy? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments!
