Toby Collyer’s start to his Manchester United career couldn’t have begun any tougher if he tried, making his debut against Manchester City in the Community Shield and then coming into a baptism of fire on his Premier League bow against Liverpool.
But the 20-year-old has not looked out of place on either occasion and could prove to be the answer to Erik ten Hag’s Casemiro problem. The Brazilian was hooked off at half-time after careless play in the middle of the park gifted Liverpool their opening two goals in the 3-0 win at Old Trafford last month.
Casemiro was seen leaving the game early and made his return for the Red Devils as a late substitution in the 3-0 win against Southampton on Saturday, replacing Matthijs de Ligt, who was struggling with cramp, in an unfamiliar center-back role. Adding to the 32-year-old’s miserable last few months in a United shirt.
Despite not coming off the bench at St Mary’s, Collyer is likely to play a part in the Carabao Cup third-round game against League One side Barnsley on Tuesday. United face the third-tier side in their opening game of the competition they won in Ten Hag’s first season in charge. Given the 40 places between the two clubs in the pyramid, the Dutchman could opt to shuffle the pack.
Collyer may have earned himself the chance to be named in the starting line-up for the first time against Barnsley after appearing in every matchday squad so far this season. The center-midfielder has appeared for United’s youth team mainly from a defensive role but showed the athletic and physical prowess that his Brazilian counterpart appears to have left behind given his recent performances.
Previously captaining England at U16 and U17 level, Collyer could prove to have leadership qualities beyond his years in a United midfield that has lacked direction and backbone at times during Ten Hag’s reign, and even beforehand. However, his potential was previously spotted by Brighton & Hove Albion, who signed the local lad when he was a schoolboy.
Collyer was a regular in Brighton’s under-18 side before making his under-23s debut shortly after turning 17. And it didn’t take long for United to make their move, after impressing on trial, United signed the teenager to their academy in March 2022. There he swiftly left his impression as a hardworking, energetic and disciplined player in the U18 and U23 teams before joining up with the first-team squad last season.
Ten Hag lauded Collyer’s work in pre-season which cemented his spot as part of his first-team plans for the season. “He has had a very good pre-season,” Ten Hag said. “But before this, he earned being in the pre-season squad and he earned the minutes he got. He impressed.
“Therefore, he earns the right to play. It doesn’t matter if you are young or if you are old, if you won everything, if you learned nothing. You have to earn the right to play.”
Toby Collyer’s Rise to Fame
Collyer first entered the spotlight during United’s pre-season tour of the United States, where he made a strong impression in the games against Arsenal, Real Betis and Liverpool. The teenager was handed a start in two of those games, but he also impressed as a substitute in the Community Shield game against Manchester City. He quickly became a fan favorite, with many calling for him to be given a chance in the first team.
Collyer’s Impact on the Pitch
Collyer’s performances have not gone unnoticed by Erik ten Hag. The manager has been impressed by the youngster’s energy, work rate and tactical discipline. Ten Hag has praised Collyer’s ability to “break the play up and get the ball to [Kobbie] Mainoo” - a vital ingredient to unlock the full potential of another young United star, Kobbie Mainoo.
Collyer’s Future at Old Trafford
Collyer is seen as a player with huge potential, and he is highly regarded within the club. He is viewed as a player who can play a prominent role in the first-team squad, and he is tipped to be one of the next big stars to emerge from Manchester United’s academy.
What’s Next for Collyer?
With Casemiro struggling for form and a number of other midfielders injured, Collyer could be given a chance to prove himself in the coming weeks. The Carabao Cup game against Barnsley could be the perfect opportunity for him to make his first start.
With a chance to make his first start for Manchester United, Collyer is determined to prove himself. He is a talented young player who is ready to take the next step in his career. It is exciting to see what the future holds for Collyer at Old Trafford.
