Manchester United face up to alarming Harry Amass reality after honest admission

Manchester United's supporters will be hoping Erik ten Hag delivers some encouraging news on the injury front when he speaks to the media at Carrington on Friday lunchtime.

United's injury list has been added to over the last couple of weeks or so, but it is long-term absentees Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia who continue to attract much of the attention.

That is because United, following the loss of Noussair Mazraoui against Aston Villa prior to the international break, are down to the bare bones in the full-back department. Unless Ten Hag declares that Shaw or Malacia, or perhaps both, are in contention for Saturday's visit of Brentford, Diogo Dalot will be the only senior full-back available for selection.

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The Portugal international is poised to revert back to his natural right-back berth after operating as an emergency left-back over the last couple of months. If neither Shaw nor Malacia are available this weekend, it remains to be seen who will start on the left of the defence.

Over the last few weeks there have been increased calls for Ten Hag to give youngster Harry Amass, who is one of the club's most exciting youngsters, an opportunity to prove his worth. The former Watford youngster went on the club's pre-season tour of the United States in the summer and produced three very respectable performances, yet has not made the matchday squad since.

The 7-0 win over Barnsley in the Carabao Cup last month felt like the ideal opportunity for the 17-year-old to be awarded his senior debut. Instead, Ten Hag played midfielder Toby Collyer at left-back in an experiment