Manchester United produced a stirring display on Sunday against Arsenal in their FA Cup third-round tie, eventually winning 5-3 on penalties despite playing over an hour with 10 men.
Alejandro Garnacho’s good work setup Bruno Fernandes to score a brilliant opener but after Diogo Dalot’s second yellow, things seemed to be falling apart.
The Gunners equalised soon after and when they won a dubious penalty, it seemed like the team would crack under the pressure. Altay Bayindir emerged an unlikely hero and soon after, Ruben Amorim was forced into alterations to keep the visitors in the game.
On came Toby Collyer for his first appearance under the new head coach and the academy graduate worked his socks off, averaging a defensive action every 6.5 minutes while he was not dribbled past once.
Collyer’s impressive cameo
He ran forward to try and provide an outlet each time and his industrious display will have impressed the Portuguese tactician who seems set to lose Casemiro this January.
Tony Collyer averaged a defensive action every 6.5 minutes against Arsenal today and wasn’t dribbled past once.
A statement performance from the young man. 👏 pic.twitter.com/ty8yyZOCLz
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) January 12, 2025
The 21-year-old was expected to enjoy a breakthrough season when Erik ten Hag was boss with the former Brighton academy starlet making three appearances under the Dutchman.
But Ten Hag soon departed and unluckily for Collyer, he suffered an injury that coincided with Amorim’s arrival and he has had to bide his time for chances.
There have been murmurs of a loan exit with Championship clubs in the fray but as revealed by Manchester World, the academy star’s intense display against Arsenal has forced a U-turn from Amorim.
The head coach now wants to keep Collyer around till the end of the season, especially in case options dwindle, with more chances around the corner.
“Manchester United intend to keep Toby Collyer at the club for the remainder of the season after they had considered a potential loan exit for him this month.
Collyer set to stay
“The 21-year-old has been subject of loan interest in the January transfer window but is set to remain a part of Ruben Amorim’s side after his impressive cameo appearance against Arsenal at the weekend.
“It was unclear where the former Brighton youngster would fit in under Ruben Amorim, though it is understood he has made a positive on the new head coach and is set to be given further opportunities in the coming weeks.
“His role could grow in importance if Christian Eriksen or Casemiro leaves the club this month, with both veterans expected to depart at Old Trafford this calendar year.”
Collyer has impressed coaches at Carrington with his freakish stats and Amorim loves intensity and the youngster seems to fit the bill. Now for him to keep his head down and work hard so as to be ready to grasp his next opportunity when it arrives.
Feature image Alex Pantling via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
