Manchester United were keen on the idea of signing Carlos Baleba from Brighton earlier this summer but were not prepared to include one highly-rated youngster in any deal
Toby Collyer during Manchester United training
Manchester United youngster Toby Collyer has joined West Brom on loan for the season
(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United FC)
Toby Collyer is primed for a significant role at West Bromwich Albion after joining the Championship outfit on loan from Manchester United, new Baggies boss Ryan Mason has confirmed.
Collyer, 21, is among a pool of young players who are very highly thought of at Old Trafford. However, the club have decided that a spell playing regularly in the Championship would be beneficial for the young midfielder's development with West Brom subsequently clinching Collyer's signature ahead of other second-tier teams.
The youngster made his debut for the Baggies at the weekend in their 3-2 win away at Wrexham but he could have been plying his trade elsewhere amid suggestions that the former Brighton academy starlet could be used as bait in a swap deal for Carlos Baleba.
The Manchester Evening News would later confirm that United would not consider using Collyer as a sweetener for Baleba after the Cameroon star emerged as a serious transfer target for the Red Devils earlier this month. United have since cooled their interest in Baleba, though, given Brighton would demand more than the £115million Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo to sell this summer.
Collyer, meanwhile, has been sent to the Hawthorns for the 2025-26 campaign to play regular football. And Mason, formerly of Tottenham, wants to play a big part in Collyer's development over the next 12 months before he returns to Old Trafford next year.
Speaking at the weekend, Mason told reporters: "Toby's a young player, but we know we're going to need him and he's going to help us. I've wanted Toby for a few weeks now. He's someone that I really believe in, which is important and I have that belief in all of my players.
Carlos Baleba during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Fulham
Manchester United have cooled their interest in Carlos Baleba for now due to Brighton's demands
"But when you go on loan to somewhere, I think you need to feel like you're wanted from the club and the manager and he certainly is that. Hopefully we can help him because if we help him improve and grow as a player, then it's certainly going to be beneficial to us.
"I think there's loads of room and loads of growth to develop. That's certainly going to happen on the training pitch. The reality is the game is the best teacher. The more game exposure you can get, the better, especially at a young age. I'm sure and I expect that Toby knows that I believe in him, which for me is super important.
"I'm going to put a lot of energy, the same amount of energy that I've put into him as every other one of my players, to help them grow and improve."
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