This boy is really good,He impressed me a lot yesterday and I will love to have Him in this Man city team because Ten Hag doesn’t know how to manage young talents”, Pep Guardiola says He will really love to have One Man United player in His current team before He retires
Manchester United embarks on the U.S. leg of their pre-season tour buoyed by a confident win against Rangers in their second pre-season match.
As players gradually return to the squad, the tour has presented an opportunity for youngsters and fringe players to make an impression. Among these emerging talents, players like Amad, who were part of the first team but not regular starters, are now giving manager Erik ten Hag a selection dilemma. Additionally, promising youngsters like Toby Collyer are making a strong case for inclusion in the first team.
Toby Collyer, a defensive midfielder widely regarded as the next breakout star from United’s academy, has certainly lived up to expectations with his performances. After logging two consecutive 45-minute appearances against Rangers, he is already addressing one of Ten Hag’s major issues from last season.
Ten Hag’s faith in Collyer’s abilities was evident when he entrusted him with the captain’s armband for the second half against Rosenborg. This trust was further cemented against Rangers, where Collyer featured prominently in what was essentially the first-choice lineup for the first half.
In both matches, Collyer excelled as a ball-winning midfielder, anchoring the base of midfield, simplifying play, and providing robust defensive cover. Against Rosenborg, under significant pressure, he maintained discipline, consistently disrupting the opposition’s play. In contrast, against Rangers, where United dominated possession, Collyer adapted his role, completing 100% of his 18 passes and maintaining his ball-recovery prowess.
Collyer’s disciplined and effective playing style is already mitigating United’s vulnerability in midfield transitions, a glaring issue last season. The team often found themselves overrun in midfield, with opponents easily slicing through their lines. Questions were raised about Casemiro’s defensive discipline, and even when Sofyan Amrabat or Christian Eriksen played, the midfield remained porous.
Collyer’s presence offers a solution. He remains positionally disciplined, rarely venturing forward unnecessarily, and frequently intercepting opponents’ counter-attacks by maintaining his position. While he may need to develop more on-the-ball contributions to secure a regular first-team spot, his pragmatic, no-nonsense approach is precisely what United has been lacking.
This season presents a golden opportunity for a youngster like Collyer to make his mark. With United competing in the Europa League, the group stage matches should allow Ten Hag to rotate the squad, giving Collyer ample chances to showcase his talents. Early-stage Carabao Cup games and FA Cup fixtures will also provide additional opportunities.
Ten Hag appears to value Collyer’s talent and potential. With veterans like Casemiro and Eriksen potentially on their way out, and significant interest in Scott McTominay, the pathway is clear for a midfield breakthrough. Should Manuel Ugarte join the squad, Collyer would also benefit from a mentor with a similar playing style.
It is now up to Collyer to seize this opportunity and establish himself in the first team. He need only look at the rise of Kobbie Mainoo for inspiration, demonstrating that with dedication and performance, a young player can indeed break through at Manchester United.Toby Collyer’s impressive performances during Manchester United’s pre-season tour in the U.S. have positioned him as a potential solution to the midfield issues that plagued the team last season. His disciplined and effective play has earned the trust of Erik ten Hag, who notably gave Collyer the captain’s armband for the second half against Rosenborg and included him prominently in the lineup against Rangers.
Collyer’s ability to anchor the midfield, win the ball, and provide defensive cover has been evident in his recent appearances. His adaptability in different match situations and consistent performance in maintaining possession and disrupting opponents’ play highlight his potential. As veterans like Casemiro and Eriksen face uncertain futures and with interest in Scott McTominay, Collyer’s pathway to the first team seems clearer.
With opportunities in the Europa League, Carabao Cup, and FA Cup, Collyer has the chance to cement his place in the squad. His disciplined approach and potential mentorship from a player like Manuel Ugarte could further enhance his development. Collyer’s emergence offers a promising solution to United’s midfield vulnerabilities and a glimpse of a bright future for the club’s academy talents.