Manchester United midfielder Toby Collyer has joined West Brom on loan for the 2024-25 season and new Baggies boss Ryan Mason has been quick to give his opinion of the young midfielder
15:08, 20 Aug 2025
Carlos Baleba
Manchester United's move for Carlos Baleba is off
Toby Collyer is set for a key role at West Bromwich Albion after being loaned to the Championship side from Manchester United, as confirmed by new Baggies manager Ryan Mason.
At 21, Collyer is part of a group of young talents highly regarded at Old Trafford. However, the club believes that regular playing time in the Championship will aid the young midfielder's development, leading to West Brom securing Collyer's signature over other second-tier clubs.
The youngster made his debut for the Baggies in their 3-2 victory over Wrexham at the weekend. There had been speculation that the former Brighton academy player could have been used in a swap deal for Carlos Baleba.
However, the Manchester Evening News later reported that United would not consider using Collyer as part of a deal for Baleba, who emerged as a serious transfer target for the Red Devils earlier this month.
United have since cooled their interest in Baleba, especially given Brighton's demand for a fee exceeding the £115million Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo this summer.
WREXHAM, WALES - AUGUST 16: new loan signing Toby Collyer of West Bromwich Albion during the Sky Bet Championship match between Wrexham AFC and West Bromwich Albion at Racecourse Ground on August 16, 2025 in Wrexham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Adam Fradgley/West Bromwich Albion FC via Getty Images)
Toby Collyer has joined West Brom on loan(Image: Adam Fradgley, West Bromwich Albion FC via Getty Images)
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Meanwhile, Collyer has been sent to the Hawthorns for the 2025-26 season to gain regular match experience. Mason, formerly of Tottenham, is keen to play a significant role in Collyer's development over the next year before he returns to Old Trafford.
Over the weekend, Mason shared with journalists: "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.
"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.
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"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.
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"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."