Original text TA, Andy Mitten
Toby Collier says everyone wants to play for Manchester United in the league and that's his main goal, that's what he says.
When Hull City, which was trying to qualify for promotion, drew with Coventry City, the leader of the English Championship, in the game on Easter Monday, and Coventry City has now been promoted to the Premier League. On the field at that time, there was a player who performed extremely well. He was a blond midfielder, and the home fans were not very familiar with him.
Sergei Jakirovic, the Hull City manager, declared after the game that he had proven himself as a Manchester United player and in this case, it was a great moment to start for the first time in months.
Toby Collier, who joined on loan, got a starting opportunity due to his own strength. In 74 minutes of playing time, he completed 30 of the 38 passes. In the match against the top teams in the league, he actively participated in actions such as fighting, stealing and dribbling. Before the game, a reporter from The Athletic went to the Hull City training base to interview the 22-year-old Collier. Just when we were about to talk, a power outage suddenly occurred in the area that lasted for up to three hours. However, Collier and his teammates continued to train as usual. This was just another setback they needed to overcome.
Super difficult to read version: This season, Hull City has become accustomed to adversity. This team, which was not optimistic at first, actually exceeded its goals. This Friday, it will face Millwall in the first leg of the British Championship promotion play-off semi-finals. However, Collier is absent again due to an ankle injury in training.
When we met again this week, he said this: "I hope Hull City can reach the play-off final and I can be in time to participate in the competition."
The player was still wearing training clothes when being interviewed. He is tall, well-spoken, confident and calm. He is currently in the second team that the player is on loan from Manchester United this season, and the team he plays for is the English Championship. The first team on loan is West Bromwich Albion. At the same time, the player has been frequently affected by injuries throughout the season.
It's really a pity. At the beginning of 2025, Collier was ranked ahead of Casemiro in Manchester United's starting lineup. After making his first-team debut in the 2024 Community Shield match against Manchester City, he played a total of 13 games for the first-team.
In 2022, Collier left Brighton and joined Manchester United. His contract will run until 2027. He wants to consolidate his position at Manchester United. In an exclusive interview, he talked about his career journey, the goals he wanted to achieve in the future, and what he learned from Casemiro when he faced the situation of being replaced.
"I grew up on the south coast, in a quiet little village called Ammeryn, between Portsmouth and Brighton," he said. "I grew up in a good environment with good friends and a very supportive family. I played football all day long and lived a middle-class life. My parents were not involved in football. I have two brothers, one one year younger than me and the other four years younger than me. Neither of them plays football. I also have a half-sister."
I entered Brighton's academy when I was 12 years old and would train three or four times a week. As long as there is a chance, I will play football, whether it is during school or after school. I also engage in some tennis, swimming and running sports. These sports are of great help to my body and improve my body coordination. If I didn't do these exercises, I might not be able to control my body quickly, and it might even hinder the development of my football career.
My academic performance was acceptable, my grades were average, and I had quite friendly relationships with several of my teachers, especially in secondary school. I am still in touch with my mentor, who was a former professional cricketer, so I can relate to him.
Justin Cochrane is the coach of the England team. The first time I worked with him was in the England U15 level. I participated in a few training sessions and participated in the training camp. He was very optimistic about me. We won a UEFA development championship and defeated Spain. Then the epidemic hit and I was in the U17 level. I didn’t have many opportunities. It was my first full season at Brighton. Later, Justin joined Manchester United. He suggested that it was the right decision for me to move to Manchester United. Justin had a huge impact on my career. I experienced his aggressiveness in his training sessions. He always brings out the best in every player.
I was deeply shocked when I heard the name "Manchester United", but he said this: "Come for training for three or four days, not a trial training." So I went to have several training sessions with the U23 echelon, and my teammates included Zidan Iqbal, Charlie Savage, Hannibal Mejbri and others. I enjoyed the experience so much that I finally made the decision to transfer.
From rural Sussex to Manchester, the changes are huge…
It is very different from before. I live in a homestay in Serre and live on my own. I enjoy having my own space. The relationship between people in the homestay is friendly and beautiful. I once thought about moving out and living privately, but I am still very interested in the life I am living here at this moment. Like, I was training with the U21 team coached by coach Mark Dempsey. During this period, I encountered several injuries due to physical growth and development, and also suffered several stress fractures. It was not an easy time during that period, but fortunately, I have recovered now.
Dave Hughes is the coach, and Travis Binnion is the one who oversees everything. My growth was very good in the first season. I tried different positions to get more opportunities, and the coach will also ask me to take on different responsibilities on the court at the moment.
When I was at Brighton, I mainly played as a defensive midfielder. Then when I came to Manchester United, I was able to look at the game from a different perspective and explore my potential. In the second season, we went to San Diego and Wrexham for pre-season games.
How big is the gap between the U21 echelon and the first team?
The difference between the two sides is more significant than imagined. There is a clearly discernible difference between the U18 echelon and the U21 echelon. Moreover, the gap between the U21 echelon and the first team is ten times the gap between the U18 and U21 echelons. There is a huge difference between the speed and rhythm of the game, the football intelligence of the players, and the ability to observe and discern on the court. When you are in the U21 echelon, some mistakes can be avoided with luck. However, once you are in the first team, such mistakes are never possible. For example, in the U21 echelon, six or even seven turnovers can be avoided. But in the first team, just one mistake is very likely to cause the team to lose the ball. Therefore, in the first team, every action must be 100% perfect, and a state of high concentration must be maintained at all times.
I once returned to the U21 echelon to play games to find my form. Dave Hughes said that just by training with the first team every day, my changes were clearly visible – I was sharper, stronger and faster. This shows that being in such an environment can indeed make players improve quickly.
Which players in the first team impressed you most?
In terms of ability, Bruno Fernandez is undoubtedly the most outstanding one. Some of the moves he showed during training made me involuntarily say to myself, "This is unusual. I really can't understand it." His mind is smart and clever, and he can always make unexpected passes at the moment he turns around. It is really beyond imagination.
Casemiro is an extremely important role model for me and I have admired him for a long time. In the past four years, I have worked with him. During the process, I have always paid attention to his every move, and I have learned many details from it. He is always the first person to arrive at the training ground. He has a high degree of professionalism and will observe the situation on the field at all times. People have talked about how he is as brave as a predator when he does not control the ball because of his extremely strong reading ability of the game. However, it is worth mentioning that even when he has the ball, his diagonal pass transfer skills are absolutely top-notch. He has always set an example for others through his various actions.
How does Ten Hag treat you?
In the 2023 preseason games in Los Angeles, Ten Hag gave me more freedom in terms of forward penetration and movement. I fought game after game and tried my best to show myself, hoping to get more playing opportunities. I never pursued unrealistic goals and just focused on fighting for every minute of playing time.
I played against Arsenal at the SoFi Stadium and it was an unforgettable experience. It was the first time I had really felt the pace of a first-team game, even though it was only pre-season. I played against Odegaard and the opponent was very tough. Occasionally I can have an advantage, but he is a top player with a very smart mind and can always contain you to an area you don't want to go. You have to carefully choose the opportunity to attack, and it is impossible to judge correctly every time.
I was very comfortable in my situation at Manchester United. After Eden Haven joined, we became close friends. He is also from the south. I have a deep friendship with Eriksen, Heaton, Maguire and Evans. They were the first to help me and integrate me into the team when I first joined. Chris Eriksen is in the same position as me and has given me a lot of help. His skills are superb. Once, he and I practiced free kicks with Harry Armas. He taught me the shooting skills, and I couldn't figure it out at all. This shows his strong strength.
How is it going this season?
To be honest, I have had conversations with my agent and also communicated with the club. The core goal is to try my best to get more time to participate in the game. After all, Manchester United does not have European competitions this season. Staying within the team may not necessarily be a perfect choice. If you look at Kobe Menu and Eden Haven at the beginning of this season, you can clearly understand that once there are no cup-related tasks, the playing time the players can get is quite tight. If I continue to stay in the team, opportunities to play will probably become even rarer. Therefore, choosing to leave the team on loan is really a very correct decision.
Later joined West Bromwich Albion.
I was really immersed in this experience and enjoyed it wholeheartedly. I have a lot of love for coach Ryan Mason and the coaching staff, and the current coach, James Morrison, is also great. My teammates are all very friendly. But once on the training field, there will be fierce competition for those precious playing time. The tactical concepts they uphold are exquisite, but their results in battles have not been as good as expected, and there are some regrets.
He suffered a serious calf injury that forced him to miss eight to ten weeks. After accidentally spraining it before the game, the injury completely worsened during the game. When he returned to Manchester United to recover, he found that he had grown a lot in a different environment and was more like a mature player. Even if he was injured, he could still enter the Manchester United first team locker room. Everyone was welcome to return to the team. The rehabilitation team was extremely professional. Other players also had minor injuries and ailments. They trained in the gym with Kobe, Zirkzee, Maguire and others. This is the best place for recovery.
In the second half of this season, you left the team on loan again. How was it decided to join Hull City?
This is a choice that I don’t have to think about. Hull City had an interest in me in the summer. At that time, I struggled and refused. They made an offer again, which made me feel the full degree of sincerity. The team’s record is very good, and its tactical style is completely different from West Bromwich Albion. I think I can adapt. West Bromwich Albion mainly focuses on passing and controlling, organizing and launching attacks from the back. Hull City's style of play is more direct, which is a style I have never been exposed to at this level before. My teammates performed well, the team atmosphere is quite harmonious, and our ranking is also in a very ideal state.
What a stark contrast to the atmosphere a year ago when Manchester United finished 15th in the league?
At that time, the atmosphere in Manchester United was extremely dull, and everyone was trying their best to find a way to achieve a breakthrough. Whether it was in the locker room before the game or in the locker room after the game, the downturn could be truly felt.
As a young player, you just have to keep your head down and work hard?
Indeed. I tried my best, but the environment was not ideal. Only when the European war is won can there be a moment of excitement, but the league results have been poor. It is difficult for outsiders to understand how difficult it is to break free once you are in such a predicament. This is a psychological test. Now in Hull City, the team is in very good shape. Last season they managed to avoid relegation until the last round. Although I have not experienced it personally, I can appreciate the concerted efforts of the whole team. No one wants to lose this state. The team is in an extremely advantageous position and must go all out to maintain it.
What's your playing time situation like?
1. I was not able to get the ideal playing time, 2. However, when I first joined, 3. I had not participated in the game for ten weeks, 4. And I still had a minor injury, 5. I was absent for a week and a half, 6. I had just regained my playing status, 7. I will continue to improve in the follow-up, 8. The goal we set is to achieve upgrade, 9. With the existing players, coaching staff and club team, there is a chance to achieve this, 10. The club is like a big family, 11. In my heart, I want to contribute to the team, 12. When off the court, 13. I live in a small village near the training base, 14. This place reminds me of my hometown, 15. After all, I am a person who loves country life.
The loan contract ends this season. What results do you hope to achieve in the next three or five years?
Everyone has the idea of playing for Manchester United, which is my most important goal. If you can't achieve this, then commit to becoming a main player in the Premier League.
Who else are the football players you admire?
Casemiro has received many honors and has become famous. When Amorim first took over Manchester United, he was not reused and I was ahead of him. At that time, I was only focusing on my own game, but I still communicated with him during training, and he always helped me. His English has made great progress and he still trains extremely hard. He is an excellent role model. The outside world cannot see the hard work he puts in. When he does not get a chance to play, people will think that 'he must not be serious about training', but this is not the case. He does his best every day.
He is the first to arrive at the training ground every day. Even if he does not get the chance to start, he is still the last to leave. He often goes to ice baths and jacuzzis, continues to do gym training as required, does his best to prepare before games, and always goes all out after entering training. He also tried his best to implement the tactical requirements put forward by the coach.
Even if he couldn't play, I learned a lot from him. He was full of honors, and not being able to start was a huge blow to him. Maybe it was a setback he had never experienced before, but he still insisted on doing everything well, which fully reflects his professionalism.
What are the best and worst moments of your football career?
There was one great moment when I was at Old Trafford and started a game against Rangers in the Champions League. We faced an extremely tough opponent and fought side by side with Bruno. In the end we won that game.
The worst thing is injuries, especially last year. People who know me know that I try my best every time I train. Sometimes it is difficult to control the intensity of my training, and I don't want to develop the habit of relaxing. I had just received recognition from the coach, but towards the end of the training session I was injured again because the intensity of training in the previous days was too great.
That injury was a huge blow to me. It was at a critical stage of the season and the Europa League was already in its later stages. I missed a lot of opportunities at that time.
It seems that you continue to grow through these experiences, and your mentality is particularly peaceful. A player's career is never smooth, is it?
Frustration is inevitable. There are some people who encounter more setbacks and different types. This is part of football. I can only try my best to learn from it.
The latest setback was an ankle injury suffered after the game against Coventry City.
He said he picked up the injury after returning to United's Carrington training base this week, a week after facing Coventry.
We have continued to work hard to get into the starting lineup. In this way, we finally got the opportunity to play against Coventry and to be able to play against the team at the top of the league. This is enough to show that Hull City has placed their trust in us, and we have repaid this trust with our outstanding performance. Unfortunately, an unexpected situation occurred during training. While fighting for the ball, a player fell on us, causing our ankle to sprain. We insisted on completing the training, but then our ankle swelled rapidly. This was really unfortunate and completely accidental.
"I was extremely satisfied with my performance against Coventry. The atmosphere of that game was quite good. The team did not give too many instructions. Each player had to take on more responsibilities and help the team with his own performance. I could feel the trust of my teammates in me and the excitement of starting an important game. I have not seen it for a long time, just like when I played for Manchester United in the past."
I have no doubts about my ability at all. I just need to continue to participate in the game and show myself in all aspects without reservation. I will seriously recover and prepare for pre-season and next season. I hope that Hull City can successfully reach the play-off final and that I can be in time to participate in the game.
What I have learned this season is that player growth is never linear, and a loan career is not only about performance on the pitch, but also about growth off the pitch. After two rental experiences, I feel that I have become more mature. Obviously the actual playing time I got was not as expected. However, leaving that comfortable and comfortable area to experience a different growth environment will help you grow up quickly both mentally and physically, which is a good thing.