When Toby Collyer will return to Man United’s matchday squad amid midfield injury struggles | OneFootball

Injuries are giving Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim a torrid time as he strives to get the best out of his side.

Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes, Matthijs de Ligt, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount are all sidelined. Meanwhile, with Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui away on AFCON duty, United’s squad is being stretched to breaking point.

Midfield the biggest casualty

While almost every position has been hit by these absences, it is the midfield that has suffered the most.

United’s midfield options were already thin this season, with only four senior midfielders: Mainoo, Fernandes, Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro.

Losing two of them to injury has left Amorim’s engine room in a precarious state.

Given the severity of the situation, one would expect INEOS to seize the opportunity of the open winter transfer window and make the necessary signings. Indeed, there is talk of United making a move for Atlético Madrid’s Conor Gallagher.

Collyer back from loan

Beyond the Gallagher link, could academy graduate Toby Collyer be a solution?

Collyer, who proved last season that he can be relied upon, is back from his loan spell at West Bromwich Albion. He returned to United for rehabilitation after sustaining a calf injury in November’s 1‑1 draw with Birmingham City, having made 12 appearances for the Championship side.

Back at Carrington since early December, questions remain over whether the 21‑year‑old, who is expected to stay at the club for the rest of the campaign, can realistically ease United’s injury crisis.

According to Manchester Evening News, it is unlikely Collyer will be viewed as an immediate solution to United’s midfield woes.

Collyer’s return date

“Toby Collyer is set to be fit before the end of January, but the midfielder could remain at Manchester United for the rest of the season, rather than being loaned out again,” reports Tyrone Marshall of MEN.

Undoubtedly, Collyer, described by West Brom sporting director Andrew Nestor as a dynamic midfielder, will be a valuable squad boost once fit.

INEOS must act

Yet, with his return not as imminent as hoped, United may be better served pressing ahead with a winter midfield swoop.

INEOS could get Amorim, Gallagher or even Ruben Neves, a signing that would significantly strengthen United’s ambitions of returning to Europe.

Feature image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images

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