- Toby Collyer started Manchester United's victory over Rangers on Thursday night.
- The youth player had only started one game for United
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Rio Ferdinand praised Toby Collyer after the Man United youngster's European debut on Thursday.
As United hosted Rangers as they looked to keep their unbeaten record alive on the continent, Ruben Amorim entrusted the 21-year-old with a start in midfield.
Playing alongside club captain Bruno Fernandes, Collyer received the nod over the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro.
In just his second start for the club, Collyer got off to a shaky start as he was dispossessed in his own half during the start.
However, the academy graduate gained confidence as the game progressed and put pressure on Jack Butland, who curled a second-half corner into his own goal to give United the lead.
As Amorim's team looked to maintain their lead, Collyer was replaced by Ugarte in the 73rd minute.
Rio Ferdinand praised Toby Collyer's performance on his European debut on Thursday
The Man United midfielder started in midfield as United defeated Rangers in the Europa League.
Collyer's only previous start was in a 7-0 win over Barnsley in the EFL Cup last year.
In the comments after the change, Ferdinand praised the young midfielder's performance.
“He's done the simple things well,” the former United defender said on TNT Sports.
'I reached out to people, I worked very hard. A good night's work for him, his first European game… well done.”
After the game, Fernandes insisted that Collyer will continue to improve as he gets more minutes.
“He trains very well every week, he trains at the highest level,” the United captain said on MUTV.
'He's a really good kid who wants to learn. He is eager to learn and listen and has great qualities.
“He is aggressive without the ball, he is aggressive running with the ball, he has class in small spaces and he is going to improve.”
Despite enjoying a moment of momentum after taking the lead, United would find themselves on the back foot in the closing stages.
Bruno Fernandes insisted after the match that the England youth international will continue to improve
Rangers substitute Cyriel Dessers took a wonderful touch to beat Harry Maguire before firing his shot past Altay Bayindir to get the visitors back on level terms.
With the match seemingly destined to end level, Fernandes stepped up in injury time to secure a memorable winner.
United now sit comfortably in the top eight in the revamped Europa League phase.
The club will travel to Romania next week to face Steaua Bucharest in their final match of the league phase.
If United manage to maintain their place in the top eight, they will automatically qualify for the last 16 of the competition in March.
