Man Utd midfielder Toby Collyer spent last season on loan in the Championship, playing for West Brom and Hull City.
Toby Collyer watched Manchester United’s final game of the Premier League season against Brighton from the away section.
Casemiro had already travelled back to Madrid with his family by that point, having made his final appearance against Nottingham Forest a week earlier.
The Brazilian’s departure creates an opening in the midfield department at United, and Collyer is hopeful of being given a share of the minutes next season after spending the campaign on loan in the Championship.
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It wasn’t that long ago that Collyer was being tipped as a potential Casemiro successor. When Casemiro was hooked at half-time against Liverpool for Collyer in September 2024, it felt like a changing of the guard.
Liverpool hammered United 3-0 and Collyer won’t look back on his league debut with much fondness, but he won three tackles, made three recoveries, won seven duels and completed all of his attempted dribbles, which meant he could be happy with his individual performance, despite the result.
Speaking after that game, Erik ten Hag confirmed Casemiro’s substitution was tactical, which added to the humiliation for the former Real Madrid star, whose time at the club looked to be coming to an end.
Everyone knows what happened next. Ten Hag was sacked by United a month later, and Casemiro’s struggles continued under Ruben Amorim, but he enjoyed an Old Trafford renaissance as he left on a high having played an instrumental role in United’s return to the Champions League.
Coming on for Casemiro at half-time against Liverpool was not the watershed moment for Collyer that he hoped it would be, but he had a positive season, starting against Rangers in the Europa League, and making a goal-line clearance against Fulham to ensure United won 1-0.
Ten Hag “really liked” Collyer and believed he had a prominent role to play at the club moving forward. The Dutchman’s departure was a blow to Collyer, but he impressed when Amorim gave him the chance.
“He has very good legs, he’s improving with the ball. 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,” said Amorim.
However, it was decided last summer that Collyer would leave on loan. United had failed to qualify for Europe, so there would be fewer games, and Amorim felt he had enough midfield options without Collyer.
There was permanent interest in Collyer, who just wanted to play, and over a dozen Championship clubs enquired about his availability on loan, and he eventually chose to sign for West Brom on a temporary deal.
West Brom were hopeful of mounting a play-off push with former Tottenham midfielder Ryan Mason in charge. Although Mason spoke glowingly about Collyer’s quality, his time at the Hawthorns did not go as planned due to injury.
Collyer was recalled from the loan in January. Hull were desperate to sign him in the summer window before he decided to join West Brom, and they made a fresh offer to sign him in the winter. When Collyer arrived at Hull, he was undercooked after not playing for 10 weeks, and he suffered a minor injury that kept him out for a week and a half.
Sources close to Collyer believed he would show his quality with Hull, and he couldn’t have made a better first impression when he was handed his first start for the Tigers against eventual champions Coventry. Hull were the underdogs heading into the game, but they secured a point in a goalless draw. Collyer played 74 minutes, delivering an excellent performance against Frank Lampard’s side.
Speaking to Hull Live, Collyer said: “I came here having full trust from the staff upstairs as well. It wasn’t the best start in terms of physicality. I had a little setback, but I’ve just tried to build myself up in training again and be patient.
“I’ve managed to do a great job, I think, so credit to the manager for I’d say putting me in at the right time. Football’s all about timing as well. I feel like he’s put me in at the right time. I feel like, from what I’ve shown in training, I’ve deserved it. I just enjoyed being out there again, starting.”
There was more bad fortune for Collyer when he suffered a twisted ankle in training, though, which meant he missed the end of Hull’s season. However, it speaks volumes that Hull wants to sign him again after gaining promotion to the Premier League, despite Collyer playing just over 350 minutes.
Hull have seen the bad luck Collyer has had with injuries and what he can offer when he’s available. Collyer is keen to play as much as possible at this stage of his career, and that will influence where he plays next term.
There could be a decent role for him at United following what is set to be a summer of change in midfield. United have budgeted for a marquee Casemiro replacement; they are set to sign Ederson from Atalanta, and they are monitoring Mateus Fernandes’ situation at West Ham after their relegation.
It remains to be seen whether United would look to sign Ederson, a marquee midfielder and Fernandes in the summer transfer window. That’s why Collyer could have a role to play next season.
Collyer is destined to enjoy a fulfilling career in the Premier League. He can run 13km per game, showcasing the energy he brings, and having that sort of engine, along with his quality, means he will play in the top-flight.
Michael Carrick will consider how Collyer fits into his midfield options before a plan is agreed. The 22-year-old is desperate to play and wouldn’t want to spend significant time on the bench.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that Collyer must leave United again this summer. He could have a role to play at Old Trafford.
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