Preston North End must beat Championship rivals to sign Manchester United starlet as ‘loan decision’ made

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Manchester United have decided on the footballing future for a highly-rated prospect, and Paul Heckingbottom’s side must capitalise on the decision.

Preston North End concluded the 2024/25 Championship campaign with fears over relegation to League One.

Fortunately for boss Paul Heckingbottom, the Lilywhites survived and have made impressive moves within the summer transfer window to better last season’s 20th finish.

Preston signed Daniel Iversen permanently from Leicester City earlier in the summer, and built on that by signing Thierry Small from Charlton Athletic, and the loan deal for Bournemouth’s Daniel Jebbison.

With the window in full swing, Preston should surely target a highly coveted Manchester United starlet, who is set for a loan move this summer.

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Preston North End must target Manchester United starlet Harry Amass

Ahead of the 2025/26 Championship campaign, Preston have been targeting defensive recruits to improve on the Lilywhites’ poor defensive record last season.

With left-back Small already through the door, Red Devils prospect Harry Amass would be another sensible addition to Heckingbottom’s side, with a Championship loan move on the cards for the 18-year-old.

Amass featured 16 times for the Red Devils’ academy and made seven first-team appearances last season, after joining from Watford’s academy in 2023.

BBC Sport reporter Simon Stone revealed on X last week: “Harry Amass left out of Man Utd squad for tomorrow’s game v Leeds in Sweden and won’t go to USA.

“Decision made for him to go on loan and play matches this season. Lots of interest.

“Interest from Championship and Europe in Harry Amass but nothing imminent.”

The signing of Amass would allow Heckingbottom to employ versatile Small, who is capable of playing on both flanks at full-back and on the wings, in an array of positions and provide necessary cover for a gruelling 46-game campaign.

With Heckingbottom instilling a three-at-the-back system, similar to the formation Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim employs, Amass’ loan move to Deepdale would aid the English starlet to become a future Man Utd starter under Amorim.

• READ MORE: Preston’s Real Madrid connection goes even deeper than Alvaro Carreras, he’s following an England legend’s path

Preston North End can use Alvaro Carreras example to sign Harry Amass from Man Utd

In the 2022/23 Championship campaign, full-back Alvaro Carreras spent the season on loan at Preston from Manchester United, registering four assists in 39 league outings as his loan club finished 12th.

After leaving Old Trafford for Benfica, Carreras joined Spanish giants Real Madrid this summer, in a move ESPN reported to be worth £43.2m.

Preston proved themselves to Man Utd as a club capable of developing their young players, as seen with Carreras, and also showed that in last season’s second tier season with Kaine Kesler-Hayden.

Coventry signed Kesler-Hayden this summer from Aston Villa, following his standout campaign on loan at Deepdale under Heckingbottom, in which the full-back registered five goal contributions in 44 league appearances.

Now, Preston must use their loan credentials once more, and secure a move for the highly coveted Red Devils starlet, who would make a big impact for Heckingbottom’s side in what could be the best Championship season yet.