Bruno: The best of Collyer is yet to come

Bruno Fernandes feels Manchester United fans have not seen the best of his fellow midfielder Toby Collyer.

The 21-year-old made his seventh appearance for the first team this season on Thursday night and acquitted himself well on his first European start for the Reds, before being replaced by Manuel Ugarte in the 73rd minute.

Bruno – who scored our 92nd-minute winner in front of the Stretford End – has played alongside Collyer on several occasions now but admitted that he doesn’t need to give our no.43 any help during matches.

“Toby is a great kid, he’s a great example of a professional,” our captain told MUTV after the 2-1 victory over the Gers.

“He’s a great example of someone who comes from the Academy and knows his place, knows how much he wants to get into the positions of other players where they are. He trains very well every week, he trains at the maximum level every time.

“He’s a really good kid who wants to learn. He’s eager to learn, he’s eager to listen. He has big, big qualities – he’s aggressive off the ball, he’s aggressive running with the ball, he’s class in tight spaces. This is just the first few games that he’s getting in, he’s just going to get better.”

Speaking before the game, Ruben Amorim explained that Collyer was brought in for his first start under the Portuguese to provide fresh energy and because he has earned the right to play.

“He has very good legs, he’s improving with the ball,” our head coach said. “He knows what he needs to do to play for this club and feels the club in the right way. He’s really humble and when you work hard, you get the opportunity.”

Toby enjoyed his first taste of Europa League action on what turned into a dramatic evening in M16 and acknowledged the support of his team-mates.

“These are the nights you dream to play in as a kid and now as well, so it’s a great experience for me – great exposure,” he told MUTV’s Liam Bradford in the tunnel afterwards.

“It makes the game so much easier when people around you are helping. Not just from those two but from everyone, everyone helps me out and helps each other out which is the main thing.”

Toby will hope to be involved again when the Reds return to Premier League action on Sunday with a trip to Craven Cottage to face Marco Silva’s Fulham (kick-off 19:00 GMT).

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