When Casemiro took off the captain’s armband in the away dressing room at Lerkendal and strapped it onto Toby Collyer’s bicep, the symbolism would have hung heavy in the air. This wasn’t a changing of the guard just yet, but Manchester United’s two captains on the night hinted at careers going in different directions.
For Casemiro, this was the kind of start to pre-season he didn’t want. It’s perhaps a little surprising the 32-year-old is still around, but interest from Saudi Arabia hasn’t emerged and as it stands he looks likely to see through a third campaign in Manchester. He needs the snap to return to his game.
His last competitive involvement was pulling out of the FA Cup final squad between the teamsheets being submitted and then confirmed. He was due to be a substitute at Wembley but felt tightness and withdrew. It summed up a season in which he looked and played like a veteran entering the twilight of his career.
The Brazilian doesn’t turn 33 until February but has had a demanding career in Europe and has a build that suggests fitness doesn’t always come easily to him. He was a weak link in United’s midfield for much of last season, although the open nature of that department didn’t exactly offer him much protection.
Maybe he will be better in a smarter system this term and against Rosenborg there were a couple of nice passes, but he fell over scuffing a clearance in his box and was pounced on and lost possession just outside the area. It was an inauspicious start for a player who will want to prove the career obituaries are being penned too early.
It was certainly a contrast to Collyer, who strode onto the pitch with his socks rolled low, looking more of a throwback than the man he had replaced. But he played like a modern No.6.
His former Brighton Under-18s coach Mark Beard once labelled him the best defensive midfielder in the country for his age. He is a month older than Adam Wharton, who has excelled for first-team exposure and was part of England’s Euro 2024 squad, although he didn’t kick a ball.
Collyer captained his country at under-16 and under-17 level but has had to wait for any senior football. He was an unused sub in Oslo last summer when United beat Leeds. He was also on the bench without getting on for seven Premier League fixtures and the FA Cup fifth-round win at Nottingham Forest last season.
Until Monday night, the closest Collyer had come to playing on a big stage was in the academy friendly against Wrexham in San Diego a year ago. This was a bigger night than that and he looked the part in a callow second-half side.
He was combative and strong in the tackle, took up intelligent positions to block attacks and used the ball well, happy to receive it from the defence or goalkeeper Radek Vitek and try and keep it moving forward. One flick on the left touchline to the advancing Harry Amass was a stylish contribution.
Collyer recently signed a new four-year contract at Old Trafford and although he hasn’t yet played for the first team, Erik ten Hag insisted on being present for the signing of the paperwork. This is a player he rates highly, as seen by the decision to give him the captaincy for the second half on Monday night.
