Harry Amass form means a Manchester United player has to reinvent himself

Some players can be precious about comparisons. Not Harry Amass.

"It is a good comparison," he said when likened to Luke Shaw. "In my opinion, one of the best left backs in the Premier League, if not the best for a long time. So I am not gonna complain about the comparison."

That was Amass, chatting nine months ago in a twilight Snapdragon Stadium. He stood between Toby Collyer and Ethan Wheatley. Little between large, three academy members aiming to make their promotion to the senior squad permanent.

Amass was 17 at the time. It is rare that United allow a player under the age of 18 to speak to the press. Kobbie Mainoo pottered in the background while his 18-year-old teammates spoke to us to preview the FA Youth Cup final at Carrington in 2022.

But Amass was a developing feel-good story on United's pre-season tour last year. He had just made his second start in the United States against Real Betis and crossed for Amad to score in the 3-2 win.

Amass started in all three games across the Atlantic. It made his complete omission from the Community Shield squad against Manchester City so surprising. Amass had been added to the United first-team squad on the club website that morning and he was their only fit left back.

Erik ten Hag had stressed in Los Angeles that Amass was still three months away from developing the physicality to be considered for competitive matches. But the Community Shield was a free hit.

Amass travelled to London yet was cut from the 20-man matchday squad. United conceded a late equaliser when Bernardo Silva blindsided makeshift full back Facundo Pellistri and City prevailed on a penalty shootout.

Ten Hag had an incurable blind spot at left back. Tyrell Malacia, his first signing, was sidelined for 550