Luke Shaw was back at Manchester United's Carrington training complex on Monday, with the left-back finally reporting for pre-season training after an extended break due to his involvement for England at Euro 2024.
The 29-year-old was not expected to feature at the European Championship due to his injury problems for Man United last season, but he was named in the squad and ended up making three appearances, including the full 90 minutes of the final against Spain, which Gareth Southgate's side lost 2-1.
Shaw has not played for Man United since the middle of February, though, missing the end of last season with a muscular problem, and his ongoing injury issues are a concern.
Considering his lack of action, it would be a huge surprise to see him start Saturday's Community Shield against Manchester City, and with Tyrell Malacia still recovering from a serious knee injury, 17-year-old Harry Amass could make his competitive debut for the 20-time English champions.
Amass has featured in all five of Man United's pre-season matches and started their three fixtures in the United States against Arsenal, Real Betis and Liverpool, impressing in each contest.
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Amass could have a big role to play for Man United in 2024-25
"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," Man United boss Erik ten Hag recently said when asked about Amass.
"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."
Boasting composure on the ball, in addition to strong positioning and a real tenacity in his tackling, Amass is a very exciting full-back prospect, and he was seen as a future star at Watford during his time in their academy.
Man United signed the teenager last August, and he was on the first-team bench on seven occasions last season, but the defender is yet to make his competitive debut for the club.
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Amass is in line to start against Man City in the Community Shield
It would be a real baptism of fire for Amass if he made his senior debut against Man City on Saturday, but Ten Hag will be giving serious consideration to starting the full-back at Wembley.
With Shaw's long-term fitness up in the air and no guarantees over Malacia, it would also not be a shock to see Amass feature on a regular basis at left-back during the 2024-25 campaign despite his age and inexperience.
Mainoo settled effortlessly into life in the Man United first team when given the chance, and the Englishman has now become one of the first names on Ten Hag's team sheet in a short space of time.
Amass is capable of doing the same, and he told reporters while on the US Tour: "It's probably happened quicker than I expected. But that's the game, anything can happen at any time, injuries come about and you've just got to take your chance when it comes.
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Amass insists he is ready for first-team action
"You've just got to show your aggressive side, you might be young, smaller than the opponent but you have to show you are aggressive, and don't back down.
"No conversations have been had yet, but this pre-season is a chance to prove that if I am picked I can do it. We'll see what happens when Luke and Tyrell come back but my intention is to play first-team football at this club. If the opportunity comes, I've got to take it with both hands, it could change my career."
In an ideal world, Man United would look to bring in further cover at left-back, but they are currently focusing on signing another centre-back and a central midfielder.
Amass only turned 17 in March, and Ten Hag will be careful not to put too much pressure on his young shoulders, but it is clear that there is a lot of excitement at the club when it comes to the defender's potential.
Matt Law
