Manchester United’s stance on Harry Amass’ potential return to Sheffield Wednesday may change after losing out on an EFL star.
Manchester United’s January business could be crucial in Michael Carrick’s push for a Champions League finish, but it is yet to be decided what Jason Wilcox will do.
One possibility involves some incomings, but no permanent deals, as Carrick is unlikely to stay at Old Trafford after the summer. Loan deals are always difficult to do, but Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst proved to be crucial players while on loan in 2023 under Erik ten Hag.
The more likely scenario, though, is Omar Berrada won’t sanction any incoming deals and instead focus on securing loan moves for young players and sales for fringe players, who are unlikely to play before the end of the season – Tyrell Malacia being the most obvious example.
As for the youngsters, Harry Amass was one of a few young players to be recalled during the January transfer window, despite an impressive six months for Sheffield Wednesday. United may be looking at new options after Jonny Evans stepped down from his role as Loan Manager, although he has now returned to the club as a first-team coach.
The only likely new additions are young players. In 2025, Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu and Ayden Heaven were added to Rúben Amorim’s squad in January, with a deal for Diego Leon also agreed for the summer. United had been heavily linked to a young star in the Championship, but they appear to have lost out on the 17-year-old.
United lose out on Alao
Yisa Alao is a promising left-back for Sheffield Wednesday, who has already made 5 senior appearances for the club, despite competing for a spot with Amass for the first half of the campaign.
In Amass’ absence, Alao has started the last two games for Henrik Pedersen’s side – against Brentford in the FA Cup and Portsmouth in the league. Despite being on the losing side in both games, one fan analysing his performance on X said: “The best part is when he receives it back on his right foot, and then shifts away into a carry out of the pressure. That type of movement is why his ceiling is so high.”
United had been interested in the young left-back, but it appears they will miss out on Wednesday’s promising youngster. The Sheffield Star have reported that Manchester City have joined the race for Alao, but Chelsea appears to be his destination.
The original fee is expected to be just under seven figures, while the add-ons could go as high as £5 million. But a deal may not be completed immediately as Alao has a short-term injury, keeping him out of the Birmingham game this weekend.
Amass’ future in doubt
Amass’ loan move to Wednesday was only six months originally, so he was always destined to return in January, as he now has. But it was expected that he could return to the club for the second half of the season, though that may not be the case any longer.
With United losing out on the young Wednesday talent, Wilcox may choose to look elsewhere for Amass’ next loan move. Stoke City and Watford, where Amass began his career, are understood to be interested in United’s talented full-back.
Carrick could also be interested in keeping Amass at Old Trafford for the second half of the campaign. The former United midfielder was in charge of Middlesbrough until the summer and could’ve kept an eye on England’s second tier during the first half of the campaign.
Luke Shaw and Dorgu have impressed under Darren Fletcher and Carrick in recent weeks, but another option may be needed if Malacia leaves the club. Amass could be just that man.
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