Manchester United youngster Toby Collyer is having a nightmare spell on loan at West Bromwich Albion this season.
The 21-year-old midfielder moved to the Hawthorns in August with big hopes of getting regular football, learning the Championship style, and returning to Old Trafford as a stronger, more experienced player.
But instead of progress, his year has been full of frustration, bad luck, and constant injuries that keep stopping his momentum.
Collyer is known at United as a smart, mature midfielder who keeps the game calm and steady. Coaches rate him highly for his positioning and discipline.
Fans at Old Trafford have seen bits of his talent too, as he has already made several senior appearances since his debut in 2023.
But right now, none of that potential is showing at West Brom because he simply cannot stay fit long enough to build rhythm.
A Start That Lasted Only Ten Minutes
Collyer was handed a rare chance to start for West Brom on Wednesday night, which was only his third Championship start since arriving.
Many people were excited to finally see him get a proper opportunity. However, the night turned into heartbreak very quickly.
After just ten minutes, he went down holding his leg and shaking his head, clearly knowing straight away that something was wrong again.
West Brom manager Ryan Mason had no choice but to replace him immediately with Ousmane Diakite.
It was another sad moment for the young midfielder, who looked devastated as he left the pitch.
This injury is especially painful because it comes only a few weeks after Collyer suffered a hamstring problem in his previous start.
He fought hard to recover, slowly earning a couple of substitute appearances.
Those minutes helped him get back into Mason’s plans, and fans were happy to see him getting closer to full fitness. But now, once again, everything has been pushed back. The timing could not be worse.
Loan Spell Turning Into a Struggle
When Manchester United arranged this season-long loan, the plan was simple, Collyer would play lots of games and return next summer much sharper.
With United not playing in Europe this year, there were fewer chances for rotation, so a loan move was the ideal option.
At West Brom, he was expected to grow into a controlling midfield role, the type of job where he breaks up play, protects the defence, and keeps the ball moving.
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Supporters at the Hawthorns liked what they saw in short spells.
He does not dribble past five players or smash shots from 30 yards, but he reads the game brilliantly, closes spaces, and helps his team stay organised.
In modern football, this kind of midfielder is extremely valuable.
But injuries have ruined everything so far. Since August, Collyer has played only around 250 minutes, which is nothing for a player meant to develop this season.
Every time he gets close to building confidence, something new goes wrong. These repeated muscle problems are worrying both West Brom and Manchester United.
Man United Concern Growing
United head coach Ruben Amorim is known for trusting young players, and he sees Collyer as someone who can play an important part in midfield depth in the future.
The long-term idea was for Collyer to return in 2026 as a stronger option who understands senior football better. But with these constant setbacks, Amorim’s plans may become harder to follow.
For a young player, regular football is everything. Without it, confidence drops, sharpness goes away, and development slows down.
United wanted this year to be a big step forward in Collyer’s career. Instead, the club now has a new question to think about, can he stay fit long enough to reach his full potential?
If injuries continue, United might consider recalling him early for treatment. They might also need to rethink his pathway.
It is not about talent, Collyer clearly has plenty but the body must keep up with the demands of senior football.
West Brom Left Frustrated Too
West Brom are also in a difficult position. They believed Collyer could offer something different in midfield.
He brings balance, structure and maturity that many young midfielders do not have. Even with limited minutes, fans respected his calm style.
But for a Championship club fighting for consistency, having a player who is always injured becomes a problem.
Mason trusted him enough to put him straight back into the XI, but losing him after ten minutes shows how unpredictable things are with his fitness.
It forces the team to change plans mid-game and stops West Brom from building stable partnerships in the middle of the pitch.
What Happens Next?
The full extent of the injury will be known after medical tests, but early signs suggest another muscle issue, which usually requires weeks of recovery.
If that happens, Collyer could miss another chunk of the season, making it even harder to reach his goals.
The next six months are crucial for him. He needs to prove he can stay fit, play regularly, and show the potential that both clubs believe he has.
Otherwise, the fear is that these constant stops and starts could harm his long-term development.
A Young Career Stuck in Bad Luck
Everyone agrees that Toby Collyer has the intelligence and attitude to become a Premier League-level midfielder.
But right now, he is stuck in a cycle of injuries that keeps pulling him back every time he tries to move forward.
For now, the only thing he can do is recover properly, stay focused, and be ready for another chance.
If he can finally get a run of games, he has the talent to shine. But unless the injury problems stop, both West Brom and Manchester United will be left wondering what could have been.
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