Now the dust has settled from the FA Cup final triumph for Manchester United, there’s been an interesting thing noticed.
Saturday saw Manchester United lift the FA Cup with a 2-1 win over Manchester City. In the win, the teenage duo of Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo shone brightly, scoring a goal each to shock the nation.
It wasn’t the first or last time we’ll see these exciting academy graduates steal the spotlight from their more senior teammates.
The pair of 19-year-olds have been two of the best players in the team this season under the tutelage of Erik ten Hag, who they both broke out under.
But after the win on Saturday, as celebrations ensued, Ten Hag looked to have repeated his now famous moment with Mainoo, taking a keen interest in one United Academy star in particular.
This could hint at which youth player Ten Hag plans to implement next season.
Could Toby Collyer be the next Mainoo after moment with Ten Hag?
After the magical moment of defeating City in the FA Cup final on Saturday, Ten Hag shared an interesting moment with an unseen youth player.
It was reminiscent of when he did the same thing with Mainoo following last season’s Carabao Cup triumph over Newcastle, and we all know how that has ended up.
The Dutchman made a beeline for 20-year-old Toby Collyer who was a part of the squad for the final despite not being on the bench or receiving a medal.
Collyer was embraced by Ten Hag and the pair shared a special moment which reminded fans of the Mainoo moment as Ten Hag gestured to the fans and spoke into the ear of the youngster.
Could this mean Collyer has been hand-chosen as the next player to make the jump to playing for the senior team regularly next season, with the midfield set to have some positions opened up?
This is yet to be seen, with Collyer not quite the talent Mainoo is, although very few are, but he’s a player Ten Hag has taken a keen interest in as he’s been on the bench eight times.
Is Collyer ready for a Manchester United debut?
Whether he’s ready for it or not, he’s likely to feature prominently during preseason with Scott McTominay, Mainoo and Christian Eriksen all heading to the Euros.
This will likely be his chance to show the manager he has what is needed to do what Mainoo did this past season.
As a defensive midfielder, if he is to make the jump, Collyer would slot perfectly into a midfield with Mainoo and could be eyed as a potential option in the position with Casemiro exiting.
Collyer likes to dictate play from the number six position and excels in his defensive work, covering every blade of grass as his U18 coach at Brighton explained that he plays like two men at times.
Once one of the most exciting midfielders in the country, Collyer still has that quality and could very well be about to fulfil it with Ten Hag’s support.