Toby Collyer is hoping to make more starts for Manchester United this season.

The Manchester Evening News confirmed last weekend that Collyer would be kept around the United first-team squad and not sent on loan in the January transfer window.

Collyer was promoted to the first team at the beginning of the campaign and is seen as an important member of the squad, so United decided he would not be made available for loan.

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The 21-year-old made an excellent cameo from the bench in the FA Cup third round victory against Arsenal and excelled against Southampton. Collyer was also given minutes against Brighton and followed those appearances with a start against Rangers in the Europa League.

Ruben Amorim said he picked Collyer for his "legs" against Rangers and the youngster overcame a shaky start to deliver a mature performance on his European debut at Old Trafford.

"I was on the bench with the other lads and we were all delighted, celebrating with the manager and the coaching staff. There's nothing better and I think we deserved it," said an articulate Collyer in his interview with MUTV.

"It was great [to start against Rangers], these are the nights you dream about playing as a kid, so it's a great experience for me, great exposure. And with the players around me, I think I was able to show some of the qualities that I possess, so yeah, I'm hoping for more starts.

"It makes the game so much easier when people around you are helping, not just from them two [midfield teammates Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes], but everybody helps me out and each other out.

"We've not had many training sessions, but I think with the ones that we have had, everyone is trying to understand their best and make steps, which is all we can do. It's slow progress, but we'll get there in the end and I'm sure it's going well."

Fernandes praised Collyer during his post-match interview and the academy graduate returned the favour, adding about the United captain: "He's an unbelievable player, technique, brains, legs, he has everything and he showed it today, like he does most weeks."

Erik ten Hag handed Collyer, who starred during the pre-season tour of the United States, his senior debut in the Community Shield in August and the midfielder made his Premier League debut when he replaced Casemiro at half-time as United trailed 2-0 to Liverpool in September.

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