Toby Collyer reveals what Erik ten Hag told him after Man United won the FA Cup final

Toby Collyer has revealed what Erik ten Hag told him after Manchester United won the FA Cup final against Manchester City.

The Reds were the unexpected victors at Wembley in May, with Erik ten Hag producing a tactical masterclass against Pep Guardiola’s side.

Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo – two academy graduates – grabbed the goals for United in a 2-1 win. It was a perfect display of the trust in youth at Old Trafford.

Mainoo, 19, was awarded the Man of the Match in the game after a tremendous breakthrough campaign. He would later become a key player for England as they reached the final of Euro 2024.

The last trophy that Ten Hag won the club was the Carabao Cup in 2022/23 and there was a moment between the Dutchman and Mainoo, who was not in the squad for the final, after the game.

Fans were then quick to notice Ten Hag take the same action with Collyer after the FA Cup final. During the celebrations, the United boss was in deep conversation with the midfielder on the Wembley pitch.

The manager was also in attendance for Collyer’s latest contract signing. Ten Hag has only attended a handful of contract signings for academy players, such as Mainoo and Garnacho.

Collyer has since greatly impressed during the club’s 2024 pre-season and could break through into the first team this coming season.

The defensive-minded midfielder has been asked about that moment on the Wembley pitch in May and what Ten Hag told him.

“I think it’s a massive boost. It shows he rates me as a player,” began Collyer. “He just said take it all in, enjoy myself and keep working hard, and you never know what can happen. He’s a really good guy, the manager.”

In order to make that final push to become a first-team regular, Collyer believes that he has to improve his ability on the ball, and he knows that in order to do so, he must keep demanding the ball as a midfielder.

“I’d say with me, a lot of my work is off the ball,” he added. “Predominantly, I’m a really busy player, I like to get about the pitch.

“An area of my game I’d like to improve on is in possession, so I think the only way you’re going to get better is by demanding the ball, getting on it and not backing away from situations when you could.”

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