Manchester United officially announces the recall of Ten Hag’s favored player, potentially returning to Amorin’s squad! Additionally, two other young loanees are coming back.

Manchester United has officially confirmed that midfielder Toby Collier’s loan at Championship side West Bromwich Albion has been cut short, with West Brom also confirming the Red Devils’ decision to recall the player. Collier made his debut against Liverpool under Ten Hag but fell out of favor under Ruben Amorim. The club initially hoped to loan him out for more game time, but unfortunately, he struggled to secure minutes even in the Championship.

West Brom released a statement revealing that Collier’s loan was terminated before the January winter transfer window opened. Their announcement read: “Collier has been recalled by his parent club Manchester United. The 21-year-old appeared 12 times for the Baggies but suffered a calf injury during the 1-1 draw against Birmingham. We all wish him the best in his future career.”

Since late November, Collier has been sidelined due to injury and returned early to his parent club for recovery. Manchester United explained their decision to end the loan: “Toby Collier is a highly regarded player with a strong professional attitude. He has returned to Manchester United to focus on rehabilitation, and once fit, he may provide Amorim with more midfield options.”

Manchester United’s explanation is somewhat ironic. Firstly, despite the current injury crisis in midfield with Bruno Fernandes, Cody Gakpo, and Mason Mount unavailable, Collier may recover even later than them. More critically, Collier couldn’t secure a starting spot even at a Championship side ranked 18th, so how can he strengthen Amorim’s team?

Not long ago, Amorim openly criticized Collier for being a substitute even at West Brom. “Collier can’t even get into West Brom’s lineup!” said the 40-year-old Portuguese coach, using the player as evidence of the lack of quality in Manchester United’s youth academy, implying that deploying him last year was out of necessity due to a lack of alternatives.

Besides Collier, Manchester United has also recalled two other young players who were out on loan for development. Young goalkeeper Elyh Harrison’s loan at League One club Shrewsbury ended prematurely; this is his second loan spell, having spent last season at National League side Chester.

The 19-year-old Harrison was recalled because he lost his starting spot. He played only 8 matches for Shrewsbury with just one clean sheet. Early in the season, he was the first-choice goalkeeper but later lost the manager’s confidence and hasn’t appeared since September. Manchester United had to bring him back and now seek another club where he can get playing time.

Young center-back Sonny Aljofree has also been recalled from his loan at League Two club Notts County. The 21-year-old made 11 appearances and scored once, but like Harrison, his last game was in September, and he has been regularly left out of the squad.

Last season, Aljofree featured 27 times during his loan at Accrington, but this season he has not matched that level. Considering his age, Manchester United may be contemplating selling him outright.

The BBC reports that Manchester United is also considering recalling right-back Habeeb Ogunneye, currently at bottom-of-the-table League Two side Newport. He has made 21 appearances and scored once, but since an upset FA Cup loss in early December, Ogunneye has not played. United are reevaluating whether to bring him back.