Celtic see transfer pursuit of Manchester United player collapse after Red Devils refuse to hit 'panic button'
Celtic, Birmingham City and more were thwarted in attempts to sign the Manchester United man.
Celtic attempts to sign a Manchester United player in the transfer window have been revealed - after the Hoops joined clubs like Birmingham City in failing to land the talent.
The Hoops needed cover at left-back for Kieran Tierney and signed Chelsea’s Landon Emenalo on loan. He has arrived injured though and Liam Scales has played an emergency replacement role when needed for boss Martin O’Neill. It’s been revealed by The Athletic that one alternative for the Premiership champions before the transfer deadline was Manchester United left-back Harry Amass.
He has had loans to Norwich City and Sheffield Wednesday that has sparked interest from English Championship sides, Birmingham City, Derby County, QPR and others. Luke Shaw - with a history of fitness issues - is Manchester United’s only senior left-back and boss Michael Carrick has avoided the ‘panic button’ and allowed Amass to back him up rather than sign cover himself.
Why did Harry Amass not leave Manchester United on loan?
It’s claimed: “Crucially, United go into the rest of the campaign with Luke Shaw as the only specialised senior left-back. No new face arrived in a position that was given plenty of internal consideration. Ultimately the club have kept their powder dry for another attempt at signing Lewis Hall from Newcastle United next summer.
“There is a thin line between exploring options as a precaution and acting desperately but United did not press the panic button and believe they have cover for Shaw in the shape of Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot, who can switch from the right, and in emergencies Lisandro Martinez, Carlos Baleba, and Patrick Dorgu, who is seen as a left-winger.
“Harry Amass is still in the building after United held firm on spending in that position. Amass, 19, had interest from more than a dozen clubs across the window — including Sporting CP in Portugal, Wolfsburg in Germany, Celtic in Scotland, as well as Championship sides Stoke City, Birmingham City, Millwall, Queens Park Rangers and Burnley, who saw a bid worth around £3.5million rejected. United wanted £6m.
Celtic on signing Landon Emenalo from Chelsea
“Late on United decided they could countenance a loan, with Derby County making a proposal, but they chose to keep Amass. The wisdom of United’s decision will be tested if Shaw gets injured.”
O’Neill said of Emenalo’s arrival at Celtic: "Landon is a very good player we have followed for some time, he will give us some real quality. He has many attributes which I think can benefit us, he is very quick and athletic but also very composed on the ball and while he can defend he certainly gets up the pitch into attacking positions too. I know he has a real desire to do well for us and I am sure he will, as he adds strong competition and support on our left side.”
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