Bruno Fernandes and Rio Ferdinand give verdict on Toby Collyer’s European debut
Toby Collyer earned praise from Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and club legend Rio Ferdinand after making his European debut on Thursday night.
The 21-year-old started the 2-1 win over Rangers in the Europa League at Old Trafford, which saw Fernandes score an injury time winner for the home side.
Collyer started alongside the Portuguese star in midfield and Fernandes had very positive words for the youngster after the game.
‘Toby is a great kid, he’s a great example of a professional,’ Fernandes told MUTV.
‘He’s a great example of someone who comes from the Academy and knows his place, knows how much he wants to get into the positions of other players where they are. He trains very well every week, he trains at the maximum level every time.
‘He’s a really good kid who wants to learn. He’s eager to learn, he’s eager to listen. He has big, big qualities – he’s aggressive off the ball, he’s aggressive running with the ball, he’s class in tight spaces.
‘This is just the first few games that he’s getting in, he’s just going to get better.’
Ferdinand was also impressed by the work ethic of the midfielder, who was snapped up from Brighton in 2022.
‘He’s done the simple things well,’ Ferdinand said on TNT Sports. ‘Got to people, worked very hard. A good night’s work for him, first European game – well done.’
Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim had talked up Collyer’s athleticism before the game, saying: ‘He has very good legs, he’s improving with the ball.
‘He knows what he needs to do to play for this club and feels the club in the right way. He’s really humble and when you work hard, you get the opportunity.’
Thursday night was just Collyer’s second start for Manchester United, with the first coming in a Carabao Cup win over Barnsley.
He has made three Premier League appearances this season, but all came off the bench.
The narrow victory for United leaves them well placed with just one group stage game to play in the Europa League, sitting fourth in the table.
Rangers slipped to 13th with defeat in Manchester and finishing in the top eight now looks very unlikely.
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