Manchester United receive injury blow with first-team midfielder

Manchester United midfielder Toby Collyer will be unavailable for around a month after picking up an injury.

Collyer made his Premier League debut when replacing Casemiro at half-time in the defeat to Liverpool at the beginning of September and is highly regarded by academy coaches.

Collyer was last involved with a first-team squad for the 3-3 draw with Porto in the Europa League. Former United manager Erik ten Hag confirmed before the win over Brentford that Collyer had picked up an injury but gave no further details.

The Manchester Evening News now understands that Collyer is expected to be sidelined with the issue for 'roughly a month'.

ALSO READ: Ruben Amorim breaks silence on Manchester United

ALSO READ: Van Nistelrooy outlines his plans after United appoint Amorim

Collyer last played a competitive game for United when dropping down to represent the Under-21s against Liverpool on October 6. He made his debut for England's U20s during the October break, starting two games for the Three Lions, but is now facing a short spell on the sidelines.

Head of the academy Nick Cox presented Collyer with the ball from his Premier League debut in a glass box earlier this week and the youngster posed with the memento at Carrington.

Collyer was present in the directors' box at Old Trafford, sitting alongside Harry Maguire and Christian Eriksen, for United's 5-2 victory over Leicester City on Wednesday night.

Recently speaking about his progression and breakthrough into the senior squad, Collyer told club media: "It's been great, I made the transition into the first-team environment, which is what I've always wanted to do. I'm focusing on working hard and trying to kick on and get into the squad.

"I remember being really thrilled and excited, buzzing [when training with the first team for the first time]. I kept thinking after the first few sessions I need to stay here, this is what I need to do."

A source confirmed earlier in the year that Ten Hag 'really liked' Collyer and another source said he records 'freakish' running stats in training that are only bettered by Bruno Fernandes.

Collyer's athleticism has made a strong impression at United and former manager Ten Hag viewed him in the summer as a player who had a role to play in the first-team squad this term.

The Worthing-born midfielder has been described as 'very professional' and is known to work hard in the gym, regularly going in after training sessions at Carrington.