Manchester United’s troubles this season have partly been attributed to a lack of balance in midfield.
During the calendar year of 2025, you can probably count on one hand the number of impressive individual midfield performances.
One was certainly Bruno Fernandes‘ hat-trick against Athletic Club in April. Another, more low-key and understated one, was Toby Collyer’s Europa League debut against Rangers.
Preferred to Casemiro, Collyer was excellent alongside Fernandes, anchoring the midfield effectively in the 2-1 win, completing 94 per cent of his passes and making two interceptions.
Collyer was unable to build on this notable performance, and entered this 2025/26 season out of favour, and sent on loan to West Bromwich Albion.
Toby Collyer latest
Toby Collyer was sent on loan to West Bromwich Albion on August 16, a week after their Championship opener.
Having spent the summer on United’s US tour, Collyer missed the chance to bed into West Brom’s side in pre-season.
But six weeks in, Collyer has not yet earned a starting opportunity for West Brom, who have preferred their midfield axis of Alex Mowatt and Jayson Molumby.
It was the same again on October 1 as West Brom travelled to Norwich for a Championship fixture. Collyer began the game on the bench.
Collyer came on for the final 15 minutes and helped to close out a 1-0 win.
West Brom are now fourth in the Championship table so it is hard for Collyer to demand a change.
It’s the opposite of Harry Amass’ situation at Sheffield Wednesday, where he joined a club that was desperate for players immediately, and took him straight into the starting line-up.
Collyer is playing the long game, hoping to seize his chance when he gets it, and play a bigger role for a promotion challenging side.
He has played in seven matches for West Brom so far, but totalling just 78 minutes of game time.
It’s been tough going, and a test of his patience, but the Championship is a tricky league for any 21-year-old, and this is a great test of Collyer’s character.
As the season goes on, he will be better for this opening test, especially if he can establish himself in a promotion winning team.
Manchester United need a midfielder who can offer balance
Kobbie Mainoo’s battle for game time might suggest that Toby Collyer would not have got much of a look-in at Manchester United this season.
But there is an argument that Collyer is the type of counter-balance Manchester United require alongside Bruno Fernandes.
The best partnerships do not always involve the best players. It’s why any combination of Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard never worked out for England.
They needed an Owen Hargreaves in there to balance it out. And that’s what Toby Collyer could become.
First he needs to pass his West Brom test.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
