Manchester United fans told Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim that they “missed” seeing one player’s “energy and athleticism” after the Premier League clash against Arsenal.
Ruben Amorim’s men hosted the Gunners at Old Trafford on Sunday and Manchester United and Arsenal played out a 1-1 draw in their Premier League match.
The Red Devils broke the deadlock before half-time after Bruno Fernandes stepped up and fired United into the lead from a stunning direct free-kick against Arsenal.
However, Bruno Fernandes’ opener for United was cancelled out after the break and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice found the all-important equaliser in the second half.
United and Arsenal walked away with a Premier League point apiece and the Gunners have been dealt another major blow to their league title challenge.
Mikel Arteta’s men have a match in hand over Premier League leaders Liverpool, but Arsenal are now 15 points behind the Reds with 10 league fixtures remaining.
What Man Utd fans saw from Toby Collyer vs Arsenal at Old Trafford
Toby Collyer has been out of action for Manchester United in recent weeks due to injury and Red Devils manager Ruben Amorim has been left short of midfield options.
The 21-year-old United defensive midfielder has broken into the Red Devils’ first team in the 2024-25 campaign and Toby Collyer has impressed at times.
A United youth academy product, Collyer returned in United’s 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday evening with a brief cameo.
Collyer only played two minutes for United against Real Sociedad in the first-leg Europa League last-16 tie in Spain after he returned from his injury.
However, the Red Devils midfielder secured more minutes against Arsenal after United manager Amorim withdrew Christian Eriksen in the 76th minute.
United fans on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, were thrilled with a steady cameo appearance from Collyer against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
One X user wrote: “Toby Collyer – he always keeps it simple and flowing.”
While a second tweeted: “Collyer [has to] start. Just pair him with Casemiro and play Bruno further forward.”
“I need [Manuel] Ugarte and Collyer in midfield and then Bruno closer to the box,” another said.
Someone else claimed: “Should partner Collyer or Ugarte in mid[field] and let Bruno play [as the No] 10!”
“Ugarte and Collyer together, I need that midfield,” a fifth United fan added.
While a sixth posted: “Collyer was really good when he came on. We missed his energy and athleticism in midfield.”
Another Red Devils supporter suggested: “Toby Collyer energy in the midfield. The future of this team: the kids!!!! Fearless.”
“Collyer did more in his cameo than Eriksen,” somebody else wrote.
Why Ruben Amorim played Casemiro ahead of Toby Collyer for Man Utd
Amorim admitted that Casemiro started ahead of the likes of Toby Collyer against Arsenal due to him being “more comfortable” for these kinds of matches.
Speaking after Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, he told Sky Sports (via BBC Sport): “I think we did well.
“Of course, we don’t want to play like this defending so much and giving the ball to the opponent.
“With all the games and characteristics of the players. [Victor] Lindelof for example without a lot of games. Casemiro is more comfortable in this sort of game.”
United are 14th in the Premier League table and the Red Devils are one point clear of Everton and West Ham and level on points with 13th-place Tottenham.
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