Collyer highlights importance of former Reds midfielder

Toby has missed the last few Reds games due to injury, but has made a breakthrough this season, appearing in the senior side for the first time and catching the eye during recent outings against Rangers and Fulham.

We caught up with Collyer recently at The Cliff, our former training ground, where the 21-year-old was helping to coach youngsters from our Under-8s group.

The central midfielder was also shown around the former first-team building at the Lower Broughton site, where Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson honed some of the club’s greatest-ever players and teams.

Retreading his own path from Brighton’s youth ranks to starting big European games at Old Trafford, Collyer recalled how Fletcher had welcomed him on his first day, back in 2022.

“I signed and I remember I saw Darren Fletcher,” Toby said. “He came and spoke to me, which was obviously a big thing, because he’s a player who I’d say I play like.

“So to see him come and speak to me gave me great confidence and the belief that I could achieve things at this club.”

With over 300 appearances under his belt for the club between 2003 and 2015, mainly in central midfield, our current first-team coach is a great sounding board for Collyer.

“I think it’s important to know things about the club,” he continued.

“With Fletch, I think, with my game, it’s quite similar to his and I think that’s why it’s great for him to be around, from my perspective.

“I can learn from him, always speak to him and get his opinion on things.”

The influence of the former Scotland international included informing Toby that he’d been picked in a matchday squad by former boss Erik ten Hag for the first time.

Fittingly, that call came almost a year ago to the day, and against our upcoming opponents, Fulham, as Collyer was named on a youthful bench for a Premier League fixture in February 2024.

“I remember Fletch rang me and said ‘you’ve made the squad, congrats’.

“I just remember being really happy – I called my dad and mum and shared that with them. I was buzzing and it was a great experience going to the stadium, being in the changing room.

“My first proper experience being around it, for a big game, and yeah, I think with experience like that, you can keep building on it and you’re only going to get better.”

Collyer has since gone on to make nine senior appearances for the Reds and will be a welcome addition back to our midfield options when he is able to return from injury.

Read the full interview with Toby in the Fulham edition of United Review, which you can buy here.