Ruben Amorim must start Man Utd youngster Rio Ferdinand ‘really likes’ vs Rangers – it’s completely deserved

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Ruben Amorim has a series of big decisions to make in advance of Thursday’s Europa League clash against Rangers.

The Battle of the Britons will re-ignite this Thursday as Scottish heavyweights Rangers travel to Old Trafford.

It is the penultimate Europa League league phase, in which Manchester United sit seventh on 12 points from six games and remains unbeaten.

Beating Rangers would see United guaranteed progression into at least the play-off stage, and also well placed to secure a top-eight finish and ensure by-passing the play-offs and heading straight to the last 16.

However, Ruben Amorim has some big decisions to make for the game in terms of his team selection, with the midfield, in particular, needing a revamp after some lethargic performances from Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte.

So with this in mind, it could be time for Amorim to start an academy graduate who has been knocking on the first-team door recently, Toby Collyer.

• READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Man Utd’s head coach – Ruben Amorim

Toby Collyer deserves Manchester United start

Collyer has long been tipped as having the potential to become a regular midfielder for United, as he wowed Erik ten Hag in training.

United coaches were impressed with Collyer’s freakish running in training, and in recent weeks he seems to have endeared himself to Amorim as well. With Collyer ticking the ‘run like mad dogs’ demand from Amorim, he has played his way into contention over the past few weeks.

Collyer was one of the best in the country when he joined United, and now he looks likely to get a chance to prove it to Amorim.

The 21-year-old has come off the bench in each of the last three games and this could be his chance to start having moved ahead of Casemiro in the pecking order.

With Mainoo and Ugarte floundering in recent weeks, they need a rest and so there seems a real likelihood that Collyer starts here for the very first time in his natural position.

Starting Collyer is a decision which would be popular among the fanbase.

• READ: Who is Toby Collyer? Meet the Manchester United starlet who has been compared to N’Golo Kante

Rio Ferdinand would agree with Ruben Amorim

Speaking recently on his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand Presents, the United legend waxed lyrical about Collyer.

• READ MORE: Who is Rio Ferdinand? Age, Height, Wife, Children, Net Worth

“I really like him, I think he’s got great energy, he’s done that a few times off the bench.

“Gives us that extra pair of legs to get amongst it. Looks confident, wants to take the ball.”

With how tired and lethargic the performances have been from both Ugarte and Mainoo of late, it seems like a no-brainer to hand Collyer his second start of the season.

Amorim will want Collyer’s passing to improve, and if it does then this fantastic run for Collyer could well continue for the foreseeable future. Amorim may have found the midfielder he’s been craving.