Manchester United reportedly have no plans to let Toby Collyer leave the club on loan this month, with the midfielder in Ruben Amorim's plans at Old Trafford in the second half of the 2024-25 campaign.
The 21-year-old has missed a lot of football this season through injury, but he has been on the bench for the team's last four Premier League matches against Bournemouth, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Newcastle United and Liverpool.
Collyer was introduced off the bench against Arsenal in the FA Cup on Sunday, and he made a huge impression, with his energy and work-rate contributing heavily to 10-man Man United taking the Gunners to penalties, which they ultimately won.
There have been suggestions that the Englishman could leave Old Trafford on loan in January, with a number of clubs believed to be interested in his signature.
However, according to The Athletic, Man United have no desire to let him leave, and he could potentially now be above both Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in the pecking order when it comes to the midfield spots.
Casemiro and Eriksen were both left on the bench against Arsenal, with Collyer instead introduced as Kobbie Mainoo's replacement in the 81st minute, which was a telling decision from Amorim.
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Man United 'planning to keep Collyer' despite loan interest
Collyer has a contract at Old Trafford until June 2027, with the option of a further 12 months, and he was highly-rated by ex-Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag.
The midfielder has only played once in the Premier League this season - against Liverpool at Old Trafford back in September - but he could receive minutes against either Southampton or Brighton & Hove Albion in the team's next two league outings.
Collyer came through the youth system at Brighton before making the move to Man United in 2022, and he made a big impression in the youth set-up, but he is now a part of the first-team picture.
Amorim is believed to have been hugely impressed with the midfielder's display against Arsenal in difficult circumstances, and his ability to cover the ground and make challenges could make him a vital player for the new Man United manager.
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Does Collyer have a long-term future at Man United?
Casemiro and Eriksen are both expected to move on this year, with the latter out of contract and the former not in Amorim's long-term plans, which would likely lead to a new midfielder arriving this summer.
Manuel Ugarte and Mainoo are viewed as crucial players for Man United moving forward, despite the speculation surrounding the latter's future, but Collyer, if he makes an impression in the second half of this season, could be firmly in the club's plans for next term.
Man United are currently involved in three competitions, so Collyer should be given the chance to make his mark, and the energetic midfielder may become an important figure in the coming seasons.
Matt Law
