![\"Ruben](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/0_GettyImages-2225982583.jpg\")
Ruben Amorim will test the water throughout pre-season.(Image: Zohaib Alam – MUFC\/Manchester United via Getty Images.)<\/p>\nMan United head coach Ruben Amorim sprung his first surprise of pre-season in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Leeds United in Stockholm.<\/p>\n
George is a Senior Football Writer for the Manchester Evening News, mostly covering Manchester United. He previously worked for football.london before joining the MEN team in July 2021. As well as covering United, George is a Championship-enthusiast and co-hosts The Championship Chat Podcast (@Champchatpod24), which you can find on all major podcast platforms.<\/p>\n
Ruben Amorim will test the water throughout pre-season.(Image: Zohaib Alam – MUFC\/Manchester United via Getty Images.)<\/p>\n
Manchester United supporters could have been forgiven for forgetting all about Toby Collyer ahead of Saturday’s goalless draw against Leeds United at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm.<\/p>\n
His place in the XI for United’s<\/a> pre-season opener in the Swedish capital marked his first start of any kind since January 30.<\/p>\n United beat FCSB 2-0 in their final Europa League league phase match that evening and Collyer<\/a> had been withdrawn by the time goals from Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo steered the Reds safely through to the last-16.<\/p>\n He was deployed alongside Bruno Fernandes<\/a> in midfield in Bucharest, with Christian Eriksen and Mainoo preferred in the two No.10 positions.<\/p>\n When the teamsheet dropped at the Strawberry Arena, it appeared as though Collyer was going to operate next to Casemiro in the centre of midfield, with Fernandes supporting new signing Matheus Cunha<\/a> and Chido Obi in attack.<\/p>\n However, it was Collyer who was deployed further forward. He occupied the right-sided No.10 spot and Fernandes joined Casemiro in the engine room.<\/p>\n Pre-season is all about experimenting ahead of the competitive action so Ruben Amorim<\/a> is entitled to test the water in matches where the outcome means very little.<\/p>\n However, the United head coach’s decision to deploy Collyer further forward was perhaps his way of trying to help Fernandes. Following the addition of Cunha, the feeling throughout the summer has been that the United captain will start the 2025\/26 campaign in midfield.<\/p>\n Fernandes regularly dropped deep in the second half of last season and was arguably more effective. He enjoyed a real purple patch in March when he was stationed as one of the two No.8s.<\/p>\n With Bryan Mbeumo closing in on a move to Old Trafford<\/a>, he is set to battle it out with Amad to land the right-sided No.10 spot. It is unlikely Amorim considers that position as Collyer’s long-term habitat.<\/p>\n Widely considered as a midfielder that tends to sit deep and try and marshal proceedings, it would be a drastic shift if he was to suddenly be transformed into a playmaker.<\/p>\n With four more friendlies still to come, Amorim has plenty of time to experiment. However, the closer United get to the end of their pre-season schedule, the more likely it is the former Sporting Lisbon boss will field an XI that resembles something close to the one he has in mind for the season opener against Arsenal.<\/p>\n United’s starting XI in Stockholm had a rotational feel to it. An as interesting as Amorim’s decision to start Collyer in such an advanced role was, it is likely he did it to try and get another look at Fernandes as a No.8.<\/p>\n Having previously admitting he could see himself dropping deeper as his career progresses, Fernandes might be about to make a permanent position change at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n Man United’s 2025\/26 Away Shirt<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a385<\/p>\n Fanatics<\/p>\n![\"Bruno](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/0_GettyImages-2225985819.jpg\")
Bruno Fernandes operated in midfield against Leeds United.(Image: Ash Donelon\/Manchester United via Getty Images.)<\/p>\n![\"Patrick](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1_Untitled-9jpeg.jpg\")
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