Erik ten Hag shows true colours as Man Utd boss makes rare request at Carrington

Erik ten Hag has further established his commitment to Manchester United's traditions by attending midfield prospect Toby Collyer's contract signing. The 20-year-old has agreed a new deal until 2027, with the option of an additional year, and Ten Hag emphasised his faith in his potential.

Collyer has yet to make his senior debut but is among the young players training with the United first team at Carrington at the start of pre-season.

And he was knocking on the door for his first-team bow last term, being named as a substitute eight times by Ten Hag.

The Dutchman is a clear admirer and made it known by reportedly insisting on being present when he put pen to paper on a contract extension this week.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Collyer has impressed Ten Hag and club staff with his character and professionalism.

He landed in M16 from Brighton and Hove Albion in 2022 and made his first appearance in Ten Hag's senior training sessions shortly after.

Ten Hag was pictured alongside him as he committed his future to United, while academy head Nick Cox and academy coach Travis Binnion also joined them.

Collyer is set to feature during pre-season as he did last summer when he started in a youthful side's defeat to Wrexham at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.

Ten Hag's admiration is clear, given he has only attended two other starlet's contract signings since becoming United manager in 2022.

They were a 17-year-old Kobbie Mainoo in February 2023 and an 18-year-old Alejandro Garnacho two months later.

Both players have been United's biggest breakout stars of Ten Hag's first two campaigns in charge, and Collyer could be set to make a name for himself over the coming year.

After his appointment from Ajax, Ten Hag stated that he planned to permanently promote one youth player to his squad every season.

He told MUTV: "So we have to improve the squad, you can do it with players who make transfers but also players who are across the whole academy.

"Man United is famous [for] it, to bring young kids to above and to play in the first team.

"Last year, Garnacho made it. So I always hope for a minimum one player who can go into our squad and compete for a starting position."

United travel to Norway for their first game of pre-season against Rosenborg on Monday before facing Rangers in Edinburgh next Saturday.