In the depths of San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium, Toby Collyer, Harry Amass, and Ethan Wheatley are describing why they believe they can follow in the footsteps of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho to establish themselves as first-team regulars at Manchester United.
Erik ten Hag has options from each player in a position that United wants to bolster through the transfer window. Even if none of them are guaranteed a spot at the team, their growth will have benefited from their exposure to United’s U.S. trip.
Collyer has demonstrated his technical abilities as a deep midfielder since joining from Brighton in 2022. The uncertainty surrounding left-back is being somewhat allayed by Amass, who was signed from Watford last year. Wheatley, a Stockport native, is accruing playing time at center forward.When Wheatley, 18, was sent on against Sheffield United last season, he became the 250th academy graduate to appear for United’s senior team. Recalling this makes him smile broadly. “Quite a few of us wanted it, we had a bit of banter about it!”
As the lone other true striker in Ten Hag’s lineup, Rasmus Hojlund will now begin the season as Joshua Zirkzee’s backup due to injury. Wheatley believes he is improving, even though the United manager is probably going to start with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, or someone up top. Having Ruud van Nistelrooy as a coach is beneficial for learning. “He was probably one of the best strikers we’ve had at the club, as soon as he came in I’ve been trying to take tips off him to help develop my game,” Wheatley says.
Even though Collyer has not made his first team debut yet, he is closer to being ready for Premier League play. As one of the two No. 6s, he has demonstrated good athleticism, ball management, and positional understanding in build-up play. In addition, he is a No. 8 and No. 10 player.When Ten Hag attended Collyer’s contract signing in July and made it a point to speak with him on the field following the FA Cup final, it was evident how much he liked the 20-year-old. Ten Hag reciprocated the favor by signing Mainoo’s first professional contract beside him and conversing with him following the Carabao Cup triumph. It indicates that he thinks highly of me as a player, which is a huge lift.,” Collyer says. “He just said take it all in, enjoy myself and keep working hard and you never know what can happen. He’s a really good guy, the manager.”
Tyrell Malacia’s extended absence and Luke Shaw’s delayed return from England’s Euro duty are helping Amass, 17, to his advantage. Following a challenging match against Rosenborg in Norway, he has seized the chance to play in America. Against Real Betis, he set up Amad with a cross, displaying a high level of comfort on the ball under duress.People have said that he looks a lot like the player he hopes to replace because of his size and style. Amass acknowledges with a smile when Shaw is mentioned. “He is one of the best left-backs in the Premier League, if not the best for a long time,” he says. “I am not gonna complain about the comparison.”
He knows his strengths and areas to improve. “On the ball I am comfortable, I like to dribble a lot, I like to take on players, I like to excite the fans, play exciting football. On the ball, in build-up, ain’t a problem. Off the ball, you’ve got work hard, make sure you’re at it 100 per cent.”
Against Betis, Amass put in a couple of meaty tackles in response to some heavy stuff from those in green and white. “You might be young, smaller than the opponent, but you have to show you are aggressive and don’t back down,” he says. “Then you can have a good game.”
He says that his opportunity to go on tour has arrived “quicker than I thought,” but he also says, “That is the nature of the game; anything may happen at any time.” Accidents happen, and you have to take a chance when they do.
“No conversations (with Ten Hag) have been had yet, but this pre-season is a chance to prove that if I am picked I can do it. We’ll see what happens when Luke and Tyrell come back. My intention is to play first-team football at this club.
“If the opportunity comes, I’ve got to take it with both hands, it could change my career. I am just waiting for that moment, I am ready.”
Developing an understanding with Marcus Rashford ahead of him would put a tick in the plus column. Amass says: “Playing with him makes it ten times easier, he is an unbelievable player. Link-up play, he gets it, he understands my game straight away.”
Collyer also has an appreciation of the tactical side to the game. “I’d say with me a lot of my work is off the ball,” he explains. “Predominantly, I’m a really busy player, I like to get about the pitch and an area of my game I’d like to improve on is in possession, so I think the only way you’re going to get better is by demanding the ball, getting on it and not backing away from situations when you could.”
His satisfaction at coming away is obvious. “You never really know what’s going to happen in your career so you need to enjoy these moments. First off when you’re on the bench I think it’s really valuable just to be in and around it, experience what it’s like on a matchday, in the changing room, with a crowd. Now I’ve managed to get quite a lot of minutes in pre-season, so I’m happy.”
When Wheatley put his shirt over his face after missing his penalty in the shootout against Arsenal, he sustained some injuries. However, he is aware that there would be challenges to overcome.. “The club, its history is of bringing through loads of academy players, and the likes of Kobbie, playing with us less than a year ago and breaking into the first team, inspires us and motivates us because we know the pathway is there.
“If we impress, get the chances given at this club, we’ll take them.”
(Top photos — (left to right) Toby Collyer, Harry Amass and Ethan Wheatley: Getty Images)
