Toby Collyer joined Championship club West Bromwich Albion in the summer transfer window in order to gain more minutes
Toby Collyer has returned to Manchester United after a loan spell at West Brom(Image: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
West Bromwich Albion have confirmed Manchester United have recalled Toby Collyer from his loan spell at The Hawthorns. The midfielder, who was handed his Premier League debut by Erik ten Hag, was loaned to the west midlands club to gain more experience of senior football.
However, in a statement released by the Baggies, that switch has been cut short at the start of the January transfer window. Their statement reads: “Toby Collyer has been recalled from his loan at The Hawthorns by parent club Manchester United. The 21-year-old midfielder made 12 appearances for the Baggies before sustaining a calf injury in the 1-1 draw against Birmingham City in November.
“Everyone at The Hawthorns wishes Toby well for his future career.” The 21-year-old has not played for West Brom since the end of November and the reasoning behind the decision seems to be two-fold.
Writing on their website, United explained: “A highly rated talent with a tremendous work ethic, Toby returns to United to focus on his recovery and perhaps bolster Ruben Amorim’s options in midfield.” Collyer was handed his Premier League debut at half time against Liverpool with the Reds struggling in the centre.
Exactly when Collyer will return from his injury remains to be seen, but Amorim will be hopeful the midfielder could be back in contention sooner rather than later due to the midfield injury issues mounting at Old Trafford. Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes are both currently unavailable due to injury.
This has meant the makeshift partnership of Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro has been used to mixed results. Mason Mount is also an option but is currently out as well, and exactly when he shall return remains to be seen.
In Collyer’s absence, Amorim has called upon Jack Fletcher to bolster the midfield in recent games. Speaking to the media after the draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers, the United head coach insisted he was not going to risk players.
“I don’t know. I have to check,” Amorim replied when asked if any of the injured players would be back for the clash with Leeds on Sunday. “I’m not going to risk anyone, to lose them for one month or two months.
“So, we’ll try to arrange solutions. Again, let’s see, and then we will try to win the next one with no risks for the players.”