The old maxim “never fall in love with a loanee” is now being mentioned quite a lot by Sheffield Wednesday fans.
Even as they filed away from Hillsborough after a chastening 3-0 defeat by bitter rivals Sheffield United, the only positive they were clinging to was the performance of a teenage left-back who isn’t even their player.
Manchester United’s Harry Amass is winning hearts and prospering with regular first-team action at Hillsborough. They don’t want the 18-year-old to leave any time soon, with Wednesday fans desperate for the left-back to stay the rest of the season.
Even after this wretched result, manager Henrik Pedersen was left praising Amass’ “character”, although it is no surprise to those who have watched him regularly. Amass has now started 12 straight games – playing 90 minutes in 11 of them – for a team that is rooted to the bottom of the Championship after a 12-point deduction incurred for going into administration following the disastrous tenure of Dejphon Chansiri.
The fact Amass was even able to join Wednesday in the summer was only down to Manchester United’s willingness to ensure it happened. Wednesday were under a transfer embargo after breaching regulations due to delayed payments to HMRC, football creditors, another club and players and staff.
Initially, the EFL blocked the move, but after United contacted them to guarantee they were covering all the costs of the deal – even down to travel and hotel stays – it was allowed on transfer deadline day.
United felt Wednesday, under Pedersen, would be the best place for Amass to improve, with a focus on his defensive work. Amass and his team believed it guaranteed regular football and prioritised it over a move to other Championship clubs higher up the table.
Amass held his own against Sheffield United (George Wood/Getty Images)
It has paid off. Amass has impressed and not been distracted by the off-field noise at Hillsborough, which United hope will help make Amass even more resilient in his later career.
“The young man who came into Sheffield Wednesday and the young man who just left the stadium today are two different humans — and they are two different players,” Pedersen told the Sheffield Star newspaper earlier this month, just after Amass scored his first goal for the club in a defeat by Southampton.
“What I see is a young man who has started to have a big knowledge about himself as a human; who he wants to be, who he doesn’t want to be. I see a young guy who has started to be physically stronger.”
Wednesday were impressed by Amass as soon as he came in. They were struck by his confidence but also his humility. There was no sense of him thinking he was above anyone despite being on United’s books and coming to a struggling side. He’s a popular member of the dressing room and has struck up a rapport on the pitch with veteran Barry Bannan.
On Sunday, Amass was forceful in tackles — too much so on one occasion in the second half, when he was booked — but also smooth in possession and calm under pressure, often wiggling his way out of trouble when surrounded by opposition players.
Pedersen employs a wing-back system with Amass on the left side. This is good for United as they can see the player playing in a position he would be used in if he can force his way into Ruben Amorim’s plans at Old Trafford.
Amass was part of United’s first team squad at the end of last season (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
On Sunday, Amass had to be defensively disciplined rather than bombing forward too often — unsurprising, given Wednesday are bottom and facing relegation given they are still on minus-four points.
The agreement with United is for a season-long deal but there is a break clause for January which is standard for such deals. Wednesday want to keep him for the whole of the campaign and have communicated it to United. It seems likely to happen but it has not been ruled out that he could be recalled. The player himself is happy to stay there and continue progressing if that is decided.
In a recent interview with Wednesday’s club channels, Amass said he has modelled his game on Ashley Cole in the past but, more recently, looks at PSG’s Nuno Mendes because “he is the best left-back in the world”.
Some at United can see him becoming a first-team player next season but his progression is still being assessed. Amass will also want to know about the club’s long-term plans for him, with his current contract set to expire in 2027. More talks will be needed soon.
Amass, who was signed by United in 2023 from Watford and called up to first-team training by previous manager Erik ten Hag a year later, impressed in pre-season in 2024. Some expected the teenager to graduate to being a first-team regular last season but Ten Hag was unsure if he was physically ready for the Premier League.
Amass in action for Watford against Arsenal in 2023 (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
It wasn’t until Ten Hag was gone and Amorim was in charge that he got his senior debut, as a second-half substitute in a 3-0 win against Leicester. Amass started four Premier League games as Amorim rotated with a focus on the Europa League towards the end of last term.
At United, the London-born defender is also well liked and has struck up a friendship with Mason Mount, who he considers a role model. There have also been comparisons in playing style to a young Luke Shaw.
Amorim has not had any contact with Amass this season as he wants him focused on impressing for Wednesday.
In the last 12 months, United have bought two young left wing backs (Patrick Dorgu and Diego Leon) which has made it unclear what their plans are for Amass. Throw in Shaw and Diogo Dalot, who has also played on the left, and there are obstacles for the teenager.
But in the meantime, Amass is taking his chance to develop.