Two games, one win, one loss, and now the Manchester United squad will travel to the USA for the next leg of their pre-season tour.
A lot of senior players are set to return, which means the opportunities that the youngsters received in these two games will dwindle.
However, players like Toby Collyer, who have been effectively anointed by Erik ten Hag, can be assured of a place with the team in the USA.
Collyer has also repaid the trust shown in him with two good performances, even captaining the side against Rosenborg.
In the meantime, his midfield partner, Maxi Oyedele, has flown under the radar despite being as impressive as him, if not better.
Maxi Oyedele’s quietly impressive pre-season
Collyer came off the bench in the second half vs Rosenborg as a part of the “reserves” team and he was joined by Oyedele.
In the second game, Collyer was promoted to the “first team” when he started alongside Casemiro, while Oyedele continued coming off the bench.
However, in both games, Oyedele was extremely impressive. Against Rosenborg, he was the calm head to Collyer’s combative display as he kept showing for the ball despite being pressed relentlessly.
He got United out of tight spots multiple times with his positioning and passing angles opening up options for his teammates.
Against Rangers, fans saw Oyedele at his absolute best as United had more of the ball. While Collyer mainly swept up at the base of midfield and kept it simple with his passing, Oyedele was adventurous.
He carried the ball forward with incisive dribbles and played progressive passes whenever an option was on. It resulted in him assisting Joe Hugill’s goal, richly deserved for his performance till that point.
The midfield conundrum
The problem for Oyedele is that Toby Collyer’s skill set fixes a problem for United in the middle, while Oyedele duplicates it.
That is because what Oyedele does, Mainoo can already do and at a higher level. However, what Collyer does is something no defensive midfielder is natural at, hence their interest in Manuel Ugarte.
A pure defensive-minded midfielder is what’s needed to solidify the United midfield, not an adventurous ball-carrier from deep.
A loan to a League One or Championship side should be on the agenda this season because he will not get many games at United and he is too good to play for the U21s now.
If the club manages to offload Christian Eriksen and Casemiro, he might get intermittent minutes but regular senior football is the need of the hour.
Oyedele has proven that he deserves it.