Breakthrough boys

In the last edition of Inside United, we profiled the four homegrown Reds who have stepped up from Academy level to make first-team debuts.

We then charted the youth players who have been involved in senior matchday squads...

TOBY COLLYER

Age: 21
Position: Midfielder
Appearances: 13 (three starts, 10 sub)
Unused sub: 13 times

After catching the eye during pre-season, the dynamic central midfielder was entrusted with cameos in huge games against Manchester City and Liverpool, making a big impression in the latter as the Reds belatedly gained a foothold in the game.

Though injuries have disrupted the second part of his campaign, the England Under-20 international has nevertheless picked up some key experience this term, whether starting, joining the fray or watching and learning from the bench.

Perhaps his key contribution came at Craven Cottage in January, where a last-gasp clearance off the line preserved a vital victory for Ruben Amorim’s side.

Match-winner Lisandro Martinez was keen to praise his young cohort post-match, telling Sky Sports: “This guy honestly is a big example for the young generation. I’m really happy for him because he is working so hard every day and he is so humble. He deserves it all.”

Ever-modest and professional, Collyer didn’t allow the praise to go to his head, retorting: “I’m just working hard and it’s a tough environment. I think that’s good, it makes you better as a player and your character as well. I’m just thinking about improving and helping the team as much as I can.”

Having banked some key experiences – including a solid start in a thrilling Europa League win over Rangers at Old Trafford – Toby is increasingly well-set to help Amorim’s collective going forward.

CHIDO OBI

Age: 17

Position: Striker

Appearances: Seven (one start, six sub)

Unused sub: Three times

After arriving earlier in the season from Arsenal, Chido’s eye-catching form with Adam Lawrence’s Under-18s – including a hat-trick inside the first 15 minutes of his debut – had tongues wagging long before his first appearance in Ruben Amorim’s senior squad, which came in February’s Premier League defeat at Tottenham.

Thrown on for just the last few seconds in North London, the Danish prodigy was soon picking up more minutes from the bench, catching the eye of true goalscoring greats during his 52-minute FA Cup cameo against Fulham.

Watching on as part of the BBC’s coverage, United’s all-time top scorer Wayne Rooney noted: “He’s put himself in some really good positions. I’ve been really impressed with him.”

Premier League scoring benchmark Alan Shearer added: “He’s been a real handful in there. He’s been a nuisance and tough to play against. I like what I see from Obi, I really do.”

The teenager came close to notching his first senior goal against the Cottagers, seeing his effort brilliantly saved by visiting goalkeeper Bernd Leno, and he was also thwarted by Bournemouth stopper Kepa with a stabbed effort which, along with the fine movement, take and shoulder-drop prior to the shot, showcased a truly exciting attacking talent which could burst into senior football.

HARRY AMASS

Age: 18
Position: Wing-back
Appearances: Five (three starts, two sub)
Unused sub: 14 times

“I think all the reasons I signed have happened,” reflected Harry Amass, having made the step up to United’s first-team squad in his second season at the club, following his 2023 arrival from Watford.

The confident, front-footed, left-sided defender was shown to be on the senior scene when he was included in the Reds’ pre-season opener at Rosenborg, and he stepped up to the bench at West Ham in what proved to be the final game of Erik ten Hag’s time in charge.

Kept in the setup by interim coach Ruud van Nistelrooy, Amass required time to break into Ruben Amorim’s squad but, after doing so in February, was entrusted with his senior debut as a second-half substitute in March’s comfortable win at Leicester.

Though his first two starts ended in defeat against Newcastle and Wolves, Harry’s displays in both games were worthy of better outcomes. Between those two, he was afforded a happier memory with a 20-minute outing in extra-time against Lyon, entering the fray for the unforgettably dramatic denouement at Old Trafford.

“When I first signed it was about developing as a player and getting better, it was about enjoying my football, which I’ve done with all the trophies and experiences in the Academy,” he reflected. “Then it was about playing first-team, being around it, getting a chance, and that’s come as well.”

TYLER FREDRICSON

Age: 20
Position: Centre-back
Appearances: Two (two starts)
Unused sub: Five times

Having watched on from the bench as fellow Academy graduates Chido and Amass were handed their first senior outings at Tottenham and Leicester respectively, the Manchester-born defender made his bow in eye-catching circumstances against Wolves in April.

Ahead of the game, with whispers of his involvement circulating, Ruben Amorim sang the young defender’s praises, stressing: “He’s really composed, he’s really humble, every training he has with the first-team, he is really focused on every detail of training. He’s really good on the ball, and it’s a good opportunity for him.”

The Portuguese’s words proved prescient, as Tyler turned in a flawless display which soon had the Old Trafford crowd purring with delight.

Physically adept, calm in possession and positionally savvy, Fredricson shone on either side of the Reds’ back three, despite the visitors nabbing a fortuitous win late on.

Reserving praise for both Tyler and Amass, Amorim was quick to underline the reality of the situation, stressing: “They deserved a better memory. Tyler played really well. Also Amass played really well. The memories are not the best for these kids but they play quite well.”

Though he returned to a watching brief next time out, remaining on the bench as the Reds fought out a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, Fredricson could reflect on an eye-catching debut in which he looked completely at home in his surroundings.

Stats correct at time of printing Inside United, up to and including match v Brentford on 4 May.

WATCHING AND LEARNING

In addition to the quartet of Academy graduates who have made their first-team debuts this season, many more have stepped up to the fringes of the senior setup, taking their place in at least one matchday squad, ready and primed if called upon by their head coach.

Swelled UEFA squad allowances prompted matchday inclusions for youngsters throughout United’s Europa League tilt in particular, with defender Habeeb Ogunneye included in the roster for October’s trip to Fenerbahce and midfielder Jayce Fitzgerald on the bench against PAOK before meetings with Chelsea and Leicester in the Carabao Cup.

James Scanlon made his first matchday squad in this year’s resounding second-round win over Real Sociedad, a win in which he was joined on the bench by fellow midfielder Jack Fletcher, who was promoted to senior duties for a seventh time this term.

Injuries in the goalkeeping department also precipitated promotions for younger members of the Reds’ stable of stoppers, with William Murdock stepping up once, Hubert Graczyk and Dermot Mee four times, and Elyh Harrison watching on alongside Amorim and his staff in eight games.

In the latter weeks of the campaign, the new names have kept on coming, with midfielder Sekou Kone entrusted with a reserve spot three times, most recently against Nottingham Forest, while fellow midfielder Jack Moorhouse (having also been involved against Arsenal and Spurs) joined defenders Godwill Kukonki and Jaydan Kamason on the bench for both legs of the Europa League epic tie with Lyon, the former also on the sidelines for this term’s Premier League encounters with Arsenal, Newcastle, Southampton and Manchester City. Bendito Mantato then made the bench at Brentford.

With his history of blooding young talent in his time as head coach of Sporting, Amorim can be counted upon to keep handing out deserved opportunities now and beyond for those who show the graft and guile on Carrington’s training pitches, regardless of their age.

This article was taken from the July edition of Inside United, on sale this week in newsagents, shops, at the Old Trafford Megastore, and can be bought or subscribed to online here.