“Why doesn’t Harry Amass get a chance?”

It is a question that has repeatedly been asked by Manchester United supporters so far this season.

Amid the ongoing absence of a natural left-back, an ever-increasing number of United supporters have been urging Erik ten Hag to hand Amass his first taste of first-team football. He was excellent in pre-season, starring on the club’s tour of the United States, but he has not made the matchday squad since.

However, that is highly likely to change when United lock horns with Fenerbahce in the Europa League this evening, after he was included in the 20-man squad that travelled to Turkey on Wednesday afternoon.

Europa League rules allow clubs to name up to 12 players on the substitutes bench, meaning Ten Hag could have realistically taken another three players to Istanbul with him if he had wanted to.

But the fact he selected a pool of 20 players for United’s third Europa League outing of the campaign all but confirmed he will be settling for nine players on the bench this evening, just as he has to in domestic competitions, including in the Premier League.

Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw are still absent, meaning Amass looks set to provide full-back cover for Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot this evening. Mazraoui is contention to be restored to the starting XI this evening after stepping off the bench in the closing stages against Brentford on Saturday.

In desperate need of a first European victory of the campaign, tonight is not the night for Ten Hag to experiment with youngsters from the start. However, if United find themselves in a commanding position in the closing stages of the contest, the Dutchman might turn to his bench and be prepared to hand a few minutes to Amass, plus fellow youngsters Habeeb Ogunneye and Ethan Wheatley, who were also included in the travelling squad.

Amass, who is 17, earned rave reviews in pre-season after his performances against Arsenal, Real Betis and Liverpool on the tour, with supporters determined to see him given a meaningful opportunity once the competitive action got started. However, Ten Hag, on the tour, said he had to “catch up”, admitting he was three months away from being ready to make a claim for a first-team place.

Almost three months on from Ten Hag making that admission, Amass, formerly of Watford, is now in contention to make his bow. If he is granted that opportunity tonight, albeit as a late substitute, it could mark a game-changing juncture in his development.

Those who see Amass train daily, however, already know special a talent he could become. Back in June, for example, Shaw namechecked Amass as a young player that people should keep an eye out for.

Shaw said: “He’s a young left-back from Man United – Harry Amass.”

Amass, who is a very attack-minded full-back, was a key figure in the Under-18s’ success last season, attracting lots of recognition. United supporters love nothing more than seeing an academy graduate make the step up to the first-team, and in Amass they have a player who has patiently been waiting for an opportunity that might be about to come his way.

Whether his debut is awarded to him tonight or not, it is unlikely he will have to wait too much longer.