'He knows I'm good enough' - Manchester United have a new midfield pecking order

Toby Collyer hailed his first start in European competition for Manchester United as a dream come true as he continued his recent rise to prominence under Ruben Amorim.

The 20-year-old played 73 minutes of the 2-1 win against Rangers, pushing United to the brink of qualification for the last-16 of the Europa League and hopefully avoiding a two-legged play-off in February.

It was only Collyer's second start for United and his first since September having recovered from an injury that kept him out of the early weeks of the Amorim era. After an early error when he was caught in possession and presented a big opportunity to the visitors, he settled down to turn in an assured performance.

"[It's an] unbelievable feeling. These are the nights you dream of as a kid, to make my first start in the competition and get the win is the most important thing," the former Brighton prospect said.

Collyer was handed a start alongside Christian Eriksen in midfield, with Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo dropping to the bench. The selection decision confirmed Casemiro's status as the fifth-choice midfielder in Amorim's squad, with Collyer leapfrogging the five-times Champions League winner, who has been available for transfer during the January window.

Collyer came on ahead of Casemiro during United's thrilling FA Cup win against Arsenal when Diogo Dalot's red card had reduced them to 10 men, but his eye-catching display at the Emirates has brought him towards the front of Amorim's thoughts.

Casemiro hasn't played a minute for United since the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle at the end of 2024 and has now been an unused substitute for five successive games. In that time, Collyer has racked up 174 minutes and is beginning to get to grips with Amorim's