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After missing the matchday squads against Atletico Madrid and then Paris Saint-Germain , Toby Collyer returned to the fold against Leeds United .
The young midfielder did not just make up the numbers, either. Michael Carrick clearly planned to use him, and he did just that.
The 22-year-old, who spent last season on loan at West Bromwich Albion and then Hull City, was introduced at half-time, coming on for summer signing Andrey Santos .
As good as the Brazilian has been, the compliment for Collyer is that the level did not drop after the substitution.
The academy graduate put on a brilliant performance, and the statistics back up the aesthetics.
One trait in particular will have left fans impressed: Collyer is now brave enough to take risks and is starting to pass the ball forward. Against Leeds, the 22-year-old played the ball into the final third five times.
With Carrick keen on front-footed football, it is great to see Collyer willing to play forward rather than settling for safe sideways or backward passes.
Reports suggest Collyer could be sold , and performances like the one against Leeds could well have added millions to whatever fee INEOS demand for his exit.
That said, if Collyer is open to a squad role and Carrick is not given the third-midfielder signing, perhaps Manchester United should consider keeping him.
Otherwise, INEOS should look at sending him out on loan to a team that can polish the rough diamond he is.
If Collyer reaches his potential, he could yet become a fine midfielder.
Selling James Garner to Everton without giving him enough chances for a breakthrough has already left the 20-time English champions with some transfer regrets.
Similar regrets over Collyer could be avoided if INEOS are wise in how they handle the midfielder this summer.
