Man Utd youngster Harry Amass was given his first-team debut against Leicester City in the Premier League last Sunday.
Harry Amass would have been scratching his head when Erik ten Hag played Toby Collyer at left-back against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup in September. Amass was overlooked for a natural midfielder against a third division side at Old Trafford and he must have been frustrated.
Amass played a prominent role in pre-season on the United States tour and seemed destined to be given a debut by Ten Hag, given Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia were sidelined with injuries.
The youngster travelled to Wembley for the Community Shield, but it didn't take long for supporters to realise that Ten Hag was not prepared to give Amass the debut he craved.
Considering Shaw and Malacia were unavailable, Amass would have seen the start of the season as the perfect chance to make his first-team debut, but he continued to play for the academy.
He was on the bench against West Ham and Chelsea in the Premier League, in the squads to face Fenerbahce and PAOK in the Europa League and was included in the squad to face Leicester in the Carabao Cup, but didn't get on the pitch and it felt like his window of opportunity had gone.
Once it became clear that Amass wasn't in Ten Hag's plans, United placed him on a conditioning programme to gain muscle and he was prepared to leave on loan in the January window.
However, sources indicated Amass would only leave United if a suitable club could pitch a convincing plan for his development, and he stayed beyond the winter deadline.
His patience was finally rewarded last weekend when Amorim introduced Amass from the bench against Leicester City in the 69th minute.
The London-born lad looked comfortable at the King Power Stadium and delivered the kind of performance that should encourage Amorim to trust him for the remainder of the season.
“It’s his birthday, so it is a special day," said Amorim about Amass. "They have to understand they’re so lucky to play for Man United. At the same moment, I have so much fun putting young kids to play."
When Amass spoke to MUTV, he fought a wide grin throughout the interview and said: "It is an incredible experience. I am just proud at the moment and I think my family, everyone watching at home, will be proud of me. I am just grateful for the opportunity."
He continued: "You learn a lot from that. They have been so many experiences and every single one of them has got a different journey. You can take so much from each player.
"I am close with a few of them and a few of them do look after me. It is a great group of people and I am just grateful. I think it is an unreal experience. I have learnt a lot with this lot.
"I think I've improved. They are on me all the time in the right way and they are just improving my game. I am spending every day around them and learning a lot, so I just appreciate everyone."
Amass' debut was certainly well-deserved and he said in the summer that it was his "intention" to play first-team football for United. Amass said when that opportunity comes, he must take it "with both hands", and he emerged with plenty of credit for his mature display against Leicester.
Some young players would have spat their dummy out if they'd been overlooked like Amass was, however, he got his head down, didn't sulk and knuckled down in training at Carrington.
Amass has value to offer to the first-team squad and could feature in more games this season.