Erik ten Hag has called up three promising Manchester United youngsters to first-team training ahead of the Red Devils’ Premier League clash against Aston Villa on Saturday. 16-year-old left-back Harry Amass, 20-year-old defensive midfielder Toby Collyer, and 19-year-old left winger Sam Mather were put through their paces with the rest of the first-team squad at the Trafford Training Centre on Wednesday. It is unclear whether Ten Hag intends to include any of them in his matchday squad or whether he is simply giving them a taste of the intensity required to find a place in the senior set-up. All three players have been in impressive form recently.
Harry Amass has been a regular starter for Man Utd’s under-18s this season and was one of the standout performers during their 4-2 win over Arsenal in the Premier League Cup quarter-final last weekend. Sam Mather, an FA Youth Cup winner in 2022, recently scored four goals for the under-21s during a 4-2 win over Norwich City. Amass recently joined Rochdale on loan until the end of the season but is allowed to train at Man Utd as part of the terms of his agreement. His teammate Sam Murray has also moved to the Crown Oil Arena to help the Greater Manchester side in their bid to return to League football.
Toby Collyer, who moved from Brighton in 2022, was included in the first team’s pre-season squad to face Leeds United in Oslo, Norway but did not make it onto the pitch. He would finally make his debut during a 3-1 loss to Wrexham in San Diego, California. Collyer has trained with the first-team squad on multiple occasions but has yet to play in a competitive senior game. However, he is expected to make his competitive debut sooner rather than later.
Coach Mark Beard, who worked with Collyer in Brighton’s academy, praised him during an interview, highlighting his excellent attitude both on and off the pitch.