Rúben Amorim must look to unleash a new Manchester United player as the club prepare to face Southampton in the Premier League on Thursday evening.
Manchester United have begun 2025 with promise, bouncing back from a dismal end to 2024 that saw them lose four consecutive matches across all competitions.
Under Rúben Amorim, the team showed their resilience with a spirited 2-2 draw against league leaders Liverpool at Anfield and followed it up with a dramatic FA Cup victory over Arsenal, thanks to Altay Bayındır's heroics in a tense penalty shootout.
Currently 13th in the Premier League, United welcome rock-bottom Southampton to Old Trafford on Thursday evening for their first home game of the year. The match marks the start of a crucial three-game stretch at home, providing the perfect chance to build momentum.
With two weeks of dedicated training behind them, supporters are eager to see the team develop a stronger identity and deliver consistent performances as the new year unfolds.
Amorim must unleash Collyer against Southampton
Toby Collyer was a player who took his first steps into United's senior team under Erik ten Hag but only made his first appearance for Amorim on Sunday.
Highly regarded for his incredible running qualities, Collyer came off the bench in the Community Shield against Manchester City and made his sole Premier League appearance off the bench against Liverpool, a game where he came on at 3-0 down and left a very good impression.
His one start for United came against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup, where he showcased his versatility by playing as a left-back.
Unfortunately, the English midfielder picked up an injury towards the end of Erik ten Hag's reign which ruled him out for some of Amorim's opening games. Once he returned to fitness, he did not see the pitch even in what a particularly busy period for United was. He is fit again though and came on towards the end of normal time against Arsenal.
Against Arsenal, he came on in a difficult situation, like Liverpool, with United down to 10 men. However, with how much ground he covered, it did not feel like United were too disadvantaged. He was constantly up and down the enormous Emirates pitch, running with a lot of intensity. He made some tremendous defensive interventions, too.
Fans noted the "crazy" way Collyer was able to cover ground during his fantastic cameo at the Emirates.
It left many wondering why he had not seen minutes when he returned from fitness in a period where United were busy and many players were clearly struggling physically.
Easing him back in with minutes from the bench would have protected him whilst also giving other players some much-needed relief and injecting energy into the team at a point in the game where many players are tired out.
Collyer offers Amorim the chance to rest others
United have another busy period coming up, with four games in ten days.
Now that Collyer has shown his quality, it would be foolish to not use him and his performance against Arsenal arguably puts him in contention to start against Southampton.
Kobbie Mainoo has been eased back in since returning from injury but his quality with the ball is key, and with Manuel Ugarte being a player Amorim trusts greatly it is unlikely Collyer will start. But Collyer can offer the same intense running out of possession that Ugarte does, arguably with some additional qualities such as being able to use both feet well.
With Southampton sitting bottom of the Premier League on just six points, this is one of the 'easier' games United will play in this upcoming busy period which makes it the perfect opportunity to either start Collyer or give him extended minutes off the bench, whilst rotating in what is an already delicate area of the pitch for United.
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