Erik ten Hag has made a big decision on the future of Man Utd midfielder Toby Collyer – the only man signed by previous manager Ralf Rangnick.
During his stint as interim manager in the 2021/2022 season, Rangnick compared the overhaul of United’s sports structure to ‘open-heart surgery.’ Recognizing the need for changes, the 66-year-old presented the Red Devils’ recruitment team with a comprehensive list of potential signings, featuring well-known names. Speaking to German outlet BILD, he mentioned discussing six players, such as Christopher Nkunku, Luis Diaz, and Erling Haaland. However, United opted to disregard all of Rangnick’s suggestions and threw their support behind Ten Hag in the subsequent summer.
Despite challenges, Rangnick did succeed in bringing one player on board during his brief tenure at Old Trafford. England youth international Collyer joined from Brighton & Hove Albion in March 2022 and was later integrated into the club’s U21 squad.
Collyer’s development in the past two years has garnered praise across the club, including from Ten Hag, who engaged in a serious discussion with him following last season’s FA Cup victory over Manchester City.
Fans noted the similarity to Ten Hag’s handling of Kobbie Mainoo after winning the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United at Wembley the previous year. Collyer recently extended his contract with United earlier this month. According to Manchester World, the 20-year-old will now be integrated into the first team for the upcoming season and won’t be loaned out, unlike several other youth players at Carrington.
Following Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Rangers in a pre-season friendly, Ten Hag emphasized his commitment to providing opportunities for young players: “You know me, I always want to create pathways for young players, but they have to earn it.”
“He’s now earned an opportunity. Today, he was in the starting XI, that’s something, and we will see how we can progress. We saw last year with Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo what can happen, so the pathway is also open for other players and Toby is there in fourth.”
Collyer is expected to join United’s pre-season tour of the United States, with their first match against Arsenal in the early hours of Sunday morning.
