West Ham are among a cluster of EFL clubs weighing a late move for Manchester United left-back Harry Amass, 19, according to a Sky Sports report reproduced by The Peoples Person, with United reportedly given 24 hours to secure a left-back of their own before the summer window shuts.
Sky Sports named West Ham alongside Norwich City and Birmingham City as suitors circling the academy graduate following his loan spell in the Championship. The report states: “Amass is attracting interest from numerous EFL clubs, including West Ham, Norwich and Birmingham, after an impressive loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday last season.”
Why United are open to letting him go
The Red Devils do not currently feel Amass is ready to step in as Luke Shaw’s backup, despite the teenager starring for Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship last season. He had featured in pre-season under Michael Carrick, but has now been told his best chance of regular first-team football lies away from Old Trafford.
That message was underlined by his absence from United’s under-21 squad against Leicester City. It’s a notable call given how highly Amass is regarded internally, and it follows on from another young defender’s academy exit as United reshuffle their development pathway.
🔴 Follow Stretty News on Google as a preferred source and be first with every United update.
Who’s actually in the race
Norwich and Birmingham join West Ham in the chase, though it’s worth noting Burnley – previously linked – have been ruled out of the running altogether, per the same Sky Sports report. Amass had already spent time on loan at Norwich in January, only for that spell to be cut short by injury.
As for West Ham’s interest specifically, United would be entitled to play hardball given the Hammers’ conduct during negotiations over Mateus Fernandes earlier in the summer.
What it means for the left-back position
Should Amass depart, it sharpens the urgency around United’s defensive reinforcements before the deadline, particularly with Diego Leon also expected to leave on a temporary basis. Carrick’s frustration after the Ipswich display made clear he wants cover at left-back regardless of what happens with Amass.
With roughly 24 hours left in the window, according to the report, United face a straightforward calculation: sanction Amass’s Championship move and find a replacement, or keep him and hope his mind changes. Given the noises coming out of Carrington, the former looks far more likely – a dynamic not unlike recent full-back movement involving West Ham and United elsewhere on the depth chart.