Manchester United will return to action in exactly one week, with Michael Carrick planning changes after a difficult start to the Premier League season and Harry Amass set to leave on loan in January.
United are 12th in the table during the international break, having collected only five points from their first five top-flight matches.
Carrick’s side began with a 2-0 defeat by Hull City before responding with a 5-2 victory against Ipswich Town. They have since drawn with Everton, lost 1-0 to Manchester City and been held 1-1 by Fulham.
United were also knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton, although they began their Champions League campaign with a 4-0 win over Sabah FK.
That victory marked a first Champions League appearance for academy graduate Amass, who is now at the centre of the club’s January planning.
Amass expected to leave on loan
The 19-year-old was close to departing Old Trafford during the summer, when United were prepared to sanction exits for several young players. However, he remained at the club and has already featured under Carrick.
United are expected to trigger the 12-month extension in Amass’ current contract as they seek to retain him for the longer term.
The left-back is then likely to be sent out on loan in January to gain regular first-team experience. He joined United from Watford’s academy in 2023, having turned down Chelsea.
Amass made his first senior start for United in April 2025. In September that year, he moved to Sheffield Wednesday on loan and impressed at Hillsborough until the agreement ended in January.
He subsequently joined Norwich City for the rest of the campaign, before returning to Old Trafford after a period on the sidelines.
McTominay contract talks remain unresolved
Scott McTominay’s future at Napoli is also uncertain, despite the Scotland international flourishing since leaving United in August 2024.
McTominay has helped Napoli win the Scudetto and Supercoppa Italiana and has become a popular figure among the club’s supporters.
However, Corriere dello Sport reports that Napoli must improve its position in negotiations over a new contract. Discussions have reportedly been continuing for months, but the two sides remain apart over their respective valuations.
Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna said last month: “It’s not easy, but we’re trying.”
Talks are expected to resume once the 29-year-old has returned to action following surgery for a benign cardiac arrhythmia.
The Italian publication says McTominay wants a salary of between £6.8m and £7.7m per season on a contract running until 2030. That figure is currently beyond Napoli’s budget.
The former United midfielder is understood to want to remain in Naples, but only if the terms of a new agreement meet his expectations.
