Manchester United might have announced a third signing for their first-team roster this January, joining Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu. This past weekend, during the halftime of the loss to Crystal Palace, the defensive pair were showcased at Old Trafford after transferring from Arsenal and Lecce, respectively. Ruben Amorim is hoping for both players to have an instant effect, especially since his team has now experienced their fifth league loss at home since he took charge. To shift their fortunes, Amorim has experimented with various tactical formations, including positioning Bruno Fernandes deeper and utilizing Amad as a wing-back. In the most recent strategy, Kobbie Mainoo was placed in the front three and scored against FCSB in the Europa League while playing in this new position. Amorim reiterated that choice against Palace, but this time the outcome was less favorable, as Jean-Phillipe Mateta scored twice, leading the Eagles to secure three points on their trip back south. If Amorim views Mainoo as an offensive option, it explains the approval of loan moves for Antony and Marcus Rashford. Nonetheless, it creates a significant gap in the midfield, even with Fernandes capable of filling that role—frequently paired with Manuel Ugarte. The 2-0 loss to Newcastle in early January prompted Amorim to deploy Christian Eriksen and Casemiro as a midfield duo, but Casemiro has only seen 18 minutes of playtime since that match. In seeking to implement adjustments in the engine room, the United head coach has opted to turn to emerging talent Toby Collyer. The 21-year-old has experienced a rise in playing time lately, having made a notable impact during his substitute appearances against Southampton and Arsenal in the FA Cup. Afterward, Collyer’s clearance off the goal line helped United clinch all three points against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Given his previous short appearances under Erik ten Hag, it’s not surprising that Collyer is now recognized as part of United’s first-team roster on their official site. His seamless adaptation to Premier League football makes it easy to overlook that his first competitive appearance was in the Community Shield against Manchester City at the season’s beginning. He is sure to play a crucial role in Amorim’s squad for the rest of the season and in the future, especially since United opted to retain him at the club in January.
