Collyer's big price tag as Man Utd decide whether to cash in on youth talent

Manchester United believe they can command a big fee for Toby Collyer – but the midfielder's impressive pre-season has given the club a tough decision to make.

Collyer has featured regularly during Michael Carrick's preparations for the new campaign, partly because of concerns over Mason Mount's fitness.

The 22-year-old has taken his opportunities well, but United are still expected to consider offers for him before the transfer window closes.

The club's position reflects a wider strategy under INEOS, with United increasingly looking to generate significant transfer income from academy graduates while prioritising younger talent for the future.

United believe they can command a sizeable fee for the midfielder and have intensified their efforts to generate revenue from academy players.

Collyer is currently more likely to leave but a final decision hasn't been made.

Hull City, where he spent the second half of last season on loan, continue to hold an interest.

United's expanded fixture list this coming season is also a factor. The Reds will play in four competitions and could benefit from having an extra midfielder available, particularly if injuries continue to affect Mount and other first-team players.

The potential sale of Collyer comes against the backdrop of a clear shift in United's approach to academy players.

The club want to develop young talent, but they also recognise the financial value of producing players capable of generating sizeable transfer fees.

Goalkeeper Radek Vitek is the clearest recent example.

The 22-year-old joined Middlesbrough earlier this month in a deal worth up to £14million including add-ons, with United also retaining a buy-back clause and a 35 per cent sell-on.

Harry Amass could be another player to leave.

The 19-year-old impressed during his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday last season and is understood to be available for a fee in the region of £6m. A further loan remains possible if United cannot find a permanent buyer.

Striker Ethan Wheatley is also attracting interest, with Everton reportedly in talks over the 20-year-old after loan spells with Northampton Town and Bradford City last season.

Collyer's situation is slightly different because he has already shown he can contribute at senior level.

His breakthrough came under Ruben Amorim during an injury-hit period for United, while his loan spell at Hull gave him further experience of regular first-team football.

Now Carrick has given him another opportunity during pre-season.

The midfielder's performances have made the decision more difficult, but United's long-term plans appear unchanged.

If an acceptable offer arrives, Collyer could be allowed to leave.

The complication is whether United can afford to lose another squad player when they are preparing for a season containing four competitions.

United still want further reinforcements, particularly at left-back and in attack, while another midfielder could also be considered.

So far, Andrey Santos has been the major midfield addition after joining from Chelsea for £50m, while Karl Darlow arrived on a free transfer from Leeds and Youri Tielemans followed from Aston Villa.

That leaves Carrick balancing two competing priorities: building a stronger squad for an increasingly demanding season while United's hierarchy continues to place a premium on developing and monetising younger players.

For Collyer, the next few weeks could determine whether he becomes part of Carrick's squad – or the latest academy graduate to leave Old Trafford for a significant fee.