Erik ten Hag explains surprise Man United bench inclusion vs Fulham

Erik ten Hag has explained why he has included academy midfielder Toby Collyer on the Manchester United bench as the squad face Fulham.

Manchester United are starting four academy graduates as Erik ten Hag selects his XI to face Fulham on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League at Old Trafford.

United currently sit sixth in the Premier League table and five points behind Aston Villa in fourth as they chase Champions League football for the next campaign.

Read More: Manchester United confirm Erik ten Hag to face Fulham (Premier League)

Welcoming Fulham to Old Trafford, Ten Hag has elected to include 20-year-old academy midfielder Toby Collyer on the bench.

“He showed good things. He showed potential,” Ten Hag told MUTV when asked why Collyer was included.

“We have [injury] problems, so it’s an opportunity for him, and he has to be ready because if you are on the bench, it’s to be able to enter.”

Ten Hag has also put Omari Forson in his XI for the first time after Rasmus Højlund was confirmed as injured.

“He deserves the position,” Ten Hag said on Forson’s start.

“Lately, he’s performing very well; over the last half year, he’s worked very hard, showed his progression and when he came on against Wolves and Newport, he had some impact.”