Manchester United make decision on 'freakish' midfielder in January transfer window

Manchester United youngster Toby Collyer will be kept around the first-team squad for the remainder of the season.

Collyer was promoted to the first-team at the beginning of the campaign and is seen as a important part of the squad, so United will not send him on loan in the January transfer window.

The 21-year-old made an excellent cameo from the bench in the FA Cup third round victory against Arsenal and excelled again when he was introduced against Southampton on Thursday.

Collyer replaced Manuel Ugarte in the 53rd minute against Southampton and he won 100 per cent of his tackles. The youngster also completed 95 per cent of his passes and helped United gain control in the centre of the pitch, which was important after a shocking first half.

Erik ten Hag handed Collyer, who starred during the pre-season tour of the United States, his senior debut in the Community Shield in August and the midfielder made his Premier League debut when he replaced Casemiro at half-time as United trailed 2-0 to Liverpool in September.

A source said in the summer that Ten Hag 'really liked' Collyer and another source said he records 'freakish' running stats in training that are only bettered by Bruno Fernandes.

Collyer was rewarded with a new deal in July that extended his stay until 2027 and Ten Hag insisted on attending his contract signing, which further confirmed the previous boss' admiration.

Speaking earlier this week, Ruben Amorim praised Collyer and said: “Toby [Collyer] is training really well, he has a lot of pace, he likes to learn so he’s one more option for tomorrow.”

United have sent Ethan Ennis on loan to Doncaster Rovers, Ethan Williams to Cheltenham Town and Joe Hugill to Carlisle United so far in this window and more