Ruben Amorim’s experiment with 17-touch Man United academy star failed, position change is needed vs West Ham

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Ruben Amorim made some interesting selection decisions for Manchester United’s first friendly of the summer.

The 2025 pre-season schedule started with a fairly unexciting 0-0 draw against Leeds United in Sweden on Saturday afternoon.

Manchester United fans were wowed by Matheus Cunha after the £62.5m signing was thrown straight into the starting XI, as was Diego Leon, who impressed at left wing-back.

Ruben Amorim chose to blend a mixture of youth and experience in the two different XIs played in either half against Leeds, but there were a few surprises around the position of some stars.

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Ruben Amorim’s Toby Collyer experiment backfired vs Leeds

Club captain Bruno Fernandes was named in the starting line-up against Leeds, and Amorim deployed him in a deeper midfield role – likely the role he will play in 2025/26.

However, Fernandes dropping deep meant that academy graduate Toby Collyer was pushed further forward into the right-sided No.10 position.

Collyer is fighting for his future this summer as it has not been ruled out that he could be loaned out or even sold this window.

The 21-year-old will be eager to impress in pre-season so he can fight for a spot in midfield, but it seems unlikely that he can challenge for the No.10 position given the imminent arrival of Bryan Mbeumo.

Amorim spotted a lack of “pace” in midfield against Leeds, but frankly, Collyer wasn’t given a chance to play in his strongest position.

Up next, United face West Ham in the first of three friendlies in the United States. Collyer will hope to play a part, and he will hope to return to his favoured position so that he can prove he has what it takes to stay with the first team.

Toby Collyer match stats for Man United vs Leeds

Collyer started in a front three alongside Cunha and Chido Obi, with Amad Diallo overlapping him on the right.

But it seemed clear from early on that he was not entirely comfortable playing further forward, and unfortunately, Collyer’s match stats reflect just how little impact he had.

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Collyer was fairly comfortable in possession, completing 13 passes, but he struggled to create in the final third.

With no dribbles or shots attempted, Collyer never found his rhythm going forward and Amorim will have to accept that he is much better suited to the deeper midfield role in his 3-4-2-1 system.