Harry Amass made a notable impression in his first start for Manchester United, despite the team’s 4-1 loss to Newcastle United. The 18-year-old defender was thrust into the starting lineup by head coach Ruben Amorim at St James’ Park, a challenging venue known for its intense atmosphere.
Amass, who had previously made his senior debut as a substitute in a match against Leicester City, was one of several changes made by Amorim ahead of Manchester United’s crucial Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon. The young defender managed to hold his own against the pace of Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy, showcasing his potential in a high-pressure environment.
Ruben Amorim said: “I think he did quite well. He caught a player that is really fast, he debuted in maybe one of the hardest stadiums with one team that is in a good moment. I think he did really well. He needs to continue and we need to help all these young kids to perform in a higher level.”
Amorim expressed satisfaction with Amass’ performance, emphasizing the need to nurture young talent to help them reach their full potential. Despite the defeat, Amass’ assured display and positive attacking runs were key takeaways for the United coach.
The match itself saw Manchester United initially level the score through Alejandro Garnacho after Sandro Tonali’s opener for Newcastle. However, the Magpies dominated the second half, with Harvey Barnes scoring twice and Bruno Guimaraes adding a fourth goal to secure the victory.
Ruben Amorim continued: “It is really difficult to look at the best things. The best thing is to focus on the next one. Analyse this one, but it is really hard to be here after this result and try to see. Maybe in a few days I will watch the game and try to take that but in this moment it is really hard to have any feeling of a good feeling about the game.”
Amorim acknowledged the difficulty in finding positives from the match but stressed the importance of focusing on upcoming challenges. With the Europa League fixture against Lyon on the horizon, Manchester United’s attention now shifts to regrouping and preparing for the crucial encounter at Old Trafford.
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