Toby Collyer has served another problem on Ruben Amorim’s plate. The Manchester United midfielder, currently on loan to West Brom, has picked up yet another injury. For the young player, this season is seeming to be more and more like a nightmare.
Fresh blow in Birmingham
Collyer managed to get in West Brom’s starting line up in their recent game against Birmingham City. What was supposed to be a chance to prove his worth didn’t take long to turn into a disaster. 10 minutes in the game, he had a mishap with his hamstring and immediately knew something was wrong.
He walked off the pitch upset, substituted by Ousmane Diakite. West Brom had to change their plans in the heat of the moment. For the defender, it was an old story being told again.
A pattern that is hard to ignore
Collyer comes from a history of being let down by his body. Back in his time with United he suffered from frequent muscle issues that stopped him from building a rhythm. In the early season, he suffered from a similar hamstring problem.
Each setback cuts his progress short. Every time he gets close to real momentum, another injury drags him back to the gym and the treatment room. For a 21 year old, that is tough to take.
Ryan Mason’s reaction
West Brom manager Ryan Mason sounded genuinely disappointed after the match. He confirmed that Collyer has picked up another muscle injury and admitted it looks like the same area again. The club will send him for scans, but nobody expects good news.
Mason spoke about how hard Toby Collyer has worked to get back. They had tried to manage his minutes and build him up slowly because of his record. To see him break down so quickly after returning has clearly hit both the player and the staff.
Loan that has gone wrong
This loan move was supposed to be perfect. United wanted Collyer to learn in the Championship, feel real pressure and play week in, week out. But his season at West Brom has been disappointing, spent mostly on benches.
His presence on pitch, though infrequent, has been promising. He presses well, reads danger and keeps the ball moving, even chipping in with an assist earlier in the campaign. But flashes are not enough. A young midfielder needs games in a row to grow, and right now the injuries are not allowing that.
Why Amorim will be worried
From Amorim’s point of view, this is a real concern. Collyer was seen as one of the midfielders who could return from loan and add depth to United’s squad over the next year or two. The idea was simple. Toughen up at West Brom, then come back ready to compete.
Repeated hamstring problems change that picture. Soft tissue injuries at this age raise doubts about whether he can handle the demands of top-level football week after week. United now have to think carefully about his development, his training and even whether this particular loan still makes sense.
Big test of character ahead
In the short term, Collyer faces more time out and another rehab program. Early suggestions are that he will miss several weeks, but the scan results will give the final word.
The real test now is mental. United and West Brom must support him properly and not just patch him up. Toby Collyer needs to stay positive and maintain trust in the medical team. He has to hold on to the belief that he can come back stronger. His path back to Old Trafford isn’t closed off, if they get it right.
But for now, Amorim will remain worried, as the young footballer faces a cruel twist.
