Toby Collyer, Harry Amass and Ethan Wheatley are standing in the depths of the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego explaining why they feel they can follow the path of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho to become established first-team players at Manchester United.
Each player offers Erik ten Hag an option in a position United are looking at strengthening through the transfer market. While there is no guarantee any of them will make it at the club, the experience of being out on United’s U.S. tour will have aided their development.
Collyer, signed from Brighton in 2022, has shown his technical qualities as a deep midfielder. Amass, recruited from Watford last year, is giving some solace to the questions around left-back. Wheatley, who is from Stockport, is gaining minutes at centre-forward.
Wheatley, 18, was the 250th academy graduate to play for United’s senior team when sent on against Sheffield United last season and he lets out a broad smile when reminded: “Quite a few of us wanted it, we had a bit of banter about it!”
Now, with the injury to Rasmus Hojlund, he will start the season as back-up to Joshua Zirkzee as the only other outright striker in Ten Hag’s squad. Although the United manager is likely to select Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, or others up top first, Wheatley feels he is making progress. It helps having Ruud van Nistelrooy as a coach to learn from. “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.
Collyer during the friendly against Real Betis (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
Despite not yet making his first-team debut, Collyer is further along in readiness for Premier League football. Operating as one of two No 6s, he has displayed positional intelligence in build-up play, good athleticism, and control in possession. He can also play as a No 8 and No 10.
Ten Hag’s fondness for Collyer, 20, was clear when he attended his contract signing in July and made a point of addressing him on the pitch after the FA Cup final. Ten Hag did the same for Mainoo, joining him in putting pen to paper on his first pro deal and chatting with him after the Carabao Cup victory. “I think it’s a massive boost, it shows he rates me as a player,” 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.”
Amass, 17, is benefiting from Tyrell Malacia’s continued absence and Luke Shaw’s late return from Euro duties with England. After a difficult game against Rosenborg in Norway he has grabbed the opportunity in America, looking very comfortable on the ball in pressured situations and being decisive when getting forward, setting up Amad with a cross against Real Betis.
His stature and style have led people to suggest a likeness to the player he is trying to one day replace. Amass smiles in recognition when Shaw is brought up. “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 acknowledges that his chance on tour has come “quicker than I expected” but adds: “That’s the game, anything can happen at any time. Injuries come about and you’ve just got to take your chance when it comes.
Amass tackles Hector Bellerin (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
“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.”
Wheatley suffered some hurt when he missed his penalty in the shootout against Arsenal and pulled his shirt over his face. But he knows there will be bumps in the road 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)
