The club’s preparations began with a defeat to Wrexham, but Carrick came away encouraged by the performance of the younger players. Amass stood out, showcasing what he learned from last season’s experience in the Championship and signaling that he’s ready for increased involvement with the first-team squad.
If the latest session is any guide, Amass is poised to be central to Carrick’s plans at Carrington. In the newly released training footage, players receive the ball in the half-space wide areas and must deliver a first-time pass to an overlapping full-back making a curved run. The full-back then crosses first-time into a designated target area, with a small net indicating the exact cross location.
Amass, often the most attack-minded full-back in the squad, could be crucial if Carrick adopts this attacking pattern in matches. Wingers like JJ Gabriel and Shea Lacey were also part of the drill, though with United utilising inside forwards more than traditional wingers, the overlapping full-back becomes an especially important outlet.
Carrick is layering his tactical approach toward a more front-footed style. The manager has already shifted to a system that emphasizes technical ball-playing midfielders and controlled possession, moving away from a purely defensive approach. The signings of Santos and Tielemans align with this vision, bringing intelligence and ball progression into midfield.
The next phase involves deploying an overlapping full-back to increase attacking numbers, a development that should particularly benefit Amass. In past seasons, utility players had to cover certain roles for defensive balance, but this season Carrick appears more confident in his structural setup. By allowing the winger to cut inside while the full-back overlaps, the team can stretch the pitch and create more chances.
If Carrick’s evolving blueprint continues to take shape, Amass could enjoy a breakout campaign. The combination of a strengthened midfield with ball-playing operators and dynamic full-backs provides the platform for Amass to contribute meaningfully at both ends of the pitch. As pre-season progresses, all eyes will be on how these drills translate into competitive performances and whether Amass authenticates his potential with regular first-team involvement.
