Toby Collyer wanted by Ruud van Nistelrooy at Leicester City in January | OneFootball

Manchester United’s breakthrough academy star Toby Collyer is wanted by Ruud van Nistelrooy at Leicester City in January.

The former United coach and interim manager has already been reported to be pursuing three academy stars, Collyer, Dan Gore and Harry Amass.

But it seems the focus is now entirely on Collyer, with the intention being to sign him on loan in the winter window.

The Sun claims that Van Nistelrooy “is planning to use his contacts at Old Trafford to sign” Collyer and that he “is set to make a loan bid for the 20-year-old midfielder.”

“The highly-rated youngster has produced “freakish” running stats in training that can only be bettered by Bruno Fernandes.”

The outlet confirms that United would not contemplate selling the starlet but that “they could be open-minded to a loan move, especially to a manager who they know will give him opportunities in the first-team.”

It looked at the start of the season that Collyer was very much in then manager Erik ten Hag’s first team plans and he was looking set to follow in Kobbie Mainoo’s footsteps, who made the step up with great success last season.

Collyer got minutes in the Community Shield and against Liverpool in the Premier League, as well as filling in at left back against Barnsley in the EFL Cup.

However, he then sustained an injury that has kept him out of action since and with the change in manager, it is no longer clear whether there will be an easy path for him back into the first team squad under Ruben Amorim.

He was predicted to return to action after the international break and was back in training in early November, but so far he has not featured in any of Amorim’s matchday squads.

With Bruno Fernandes now playing frequently as a central midfielder, a loan move to a Premier League club could be the best chance the former Brighton player to get valuable minutes under his belt in the second half of the season.

There would certainly be no shortage of clubs vying to take the talented 20 year old on board, but as The Sun rightly point out, Van Nistelrooy’s mentorship and familiarity would make the Foxes an ideal landing spot for him.

Feature image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images

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