Man Utd identify academy prospect who can become their next first-team star

After Garnacho and Mainoo, who is next? (Picture: Robin Jones/Getty Images)

Manchester United regard youngster Toby Collyer as a player who can follow Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo in becoming a first-team star at the club.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, who assumed control of football operations at the club in February, will bring an end to extravagant spending at United both on and off the pitch.

The club must comply with profit and sustainability rules this summer with the club prepared to listen to offers for almost every member of the current squad with youngsters Mainoo, Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund the only players not for sale, along with goalkeeper Andre Onana.

It remains to be seen whether Erik ten Hag will remain at the helm in the coming months.

But whoever is in charge is expected to be working with a budget far tighter than the £175million spent on new players last summer with even more emphasis on youngsters, the Daily Telegraph report.

Injuries during the 2023-24 season saw United’s bench often bolstered by players from the academy, particularly during the final months of the season.

Harry Amass, Louis Jackson and Habeeb Ogunney all regularly made the squad when ten Hag was bereft of cover in defence with striker Ethan Wheatley also called in – making his Premier League debut in the 4-2 win over Sheffield United.

Collyer has been part of the squad in recent weeks (Picture:CameraSport via Getty Images)

Collyer has also been a regular in the squad late on in the season, on the bench for the final four league games.

While he is still to make his debut, the 20-year-old midfielder is regarded as a player with ‘first-team potential, according to the report.

While not making the matchday squad, Collyer travelled to Wembley as United beat Manchester City – with two academy graduates in Garnacho and Mainoo scoring their side’s goals.

Ten Hag was seen in deep conversation with Collyer during the post-match celebrations, scenes similar to the those that followed last year’s Carabao Cup win over Newcastle United where the Dutchman had a long chat with Mainoo.

United will tour the US in July as part of their pre-season preparations with players like Collyer hoping to be involved.

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