Manchester United are set for a busy conclusion to the summer transfer window, with several fringe and academy players expected to depart Old Trafford before the deadline closes at 11pm on Tuesday.
Among those whose futures remain under discussion is young left-back Harry Amass, who has been linked with a move away as United look to trim their squad and continue their pattern of cashing in on academy graduates. Despite the speculation, Amass played the full 90 minutes for the club's Under-21 side in their Premier League 2 opener, a 5-0 victory over Ipswich at The Progress With Unity Stadium under coach Adam Lawrence.
Speaking on Friday, United manager Michael Carrick addressed the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Amass's situation. "It comes to this stage and this is the stage of the window, there is always different scenarios," Carrick said. "We try and do the best for each individual player while keeping the group strong. We've been really pleased with Harry, he had a really good season that didn't end so well with the injury, he's done really well in pre-season."
United's interest in strengthening at left-back appears connected to any potential departure for Amass, with the club reportedly exploring options to eventually succeed long-serving defender Luke Shaw. Names linked with a move to Old Trafford include Newcastle's Lewis Hall, Barcelona full-back Alejandro Balde, RB Leipzig captain David Raum, and Racing Santander's Jorge Salinas.
The expected exit of Amass would add to what has already been a significant summer clear-out at United. The club has already sanctioned the departures of Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund, Altay Bayindir, Tyler Fredricson, Radek Vitek, Jadon Sancho, and Tyrell Malacia, as the Red Devils continue to reshape their squad under Ruben Amorim.
Further moves are in motion, with Fiorentina reportedly negotiating a season-long loan for Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee that would include an option to make the transfer permanent. Meanwhile, academy midfielder Toby Collyer is understood to be closing in on a return to former loan club West Brom, with an initial fee of around £3 million being discussed. According to The Athletic, United believe the total package could eventually rise to as much as £7.6 million once add-ons are factored in, and the club has also included a 40 percent sell-on clause in the agreement.
Elsewhere, BBC Sport report that midfielder Dan Gore is in advanced discussions over a loan switch to League One club Luton Town, while a departure is also being arranged for Paraguayan left-back Diego Leon.
United's squad restructuring extends beyond the first team as well. St Mirren manager Craig McLeish confirmed on Friday that the Scottish Premiership side are close to completing a permanent transfer for young United defender Louis Jackson. The Paisley club had already agreed a loan deal for Liverpool right-back Calvin Ramsay earlier in the week, continuing their business in bolstering their backline with players from Premier League academies.
With the transfer deadline looming, United's business appears far from finished, as the club balances outgoing deals for developing talents against efforts to add experienced reinforcements in key positions before the window shuts.
Based on reporting from standard-football.