Manchester United have recalled three academy graduates from their respective loan spells.
With the January transfer window now officially open and Man United facing a mini injury crisis, it’s possible that at least one of them could remain with the squad.
Based on the positions that the first team is currently suffering from absentees, it’s possible that a pair could be restored to the wider squad.
First and foremost of those is Toby Collyer, who made his debut last year and has already made a baker’s dozen appearances for the Red Devils.
As you can see, Championship outfit West Bromwich Albion confirmed that Collyer would be returning to his parent club on New Year’s Day 2026.
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The 21-year-old Worthing-born and 251st United academy graduate could be a useful rotation option for Ruben Amorim for the rest of the season.
With creative cogs Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo currently out injured, not to mention Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, fellow youngster Jack Fletcher, and even once again fit defender Lisandro Martinez sharing roles in the middle of the park, the midfielder could come in handy.
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Fletcher’s twin brother, Tyler (both sons of former player Darren Fletcher), could also be set to play his first game for his boyhood club very soon.
As for the other two youth players having their loans cut short, BBC Sport has reported that defender Sonny Aljofree and goalkeeper Elyh Harrison are being recalled to the Carrington Training Complex.
United have officially recalled Toby Collyer from his loan spell at West Brom. Will be a few similar moves this month with Elyh Harrison and Sonny Aljofree also coming back to the club. United exploring various loan exits in January #mufc
In addition to Collyer having his progress hampered by injury problems, Aljofree and Harrison simply haven’t enjoyed enough regular playing time.
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Despite making promising starts, both Aljofree and Harrison haven’t been part of the starting XI for Notts County and Shrewsbury Town, respectively, since September.
Who do you think could stay for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign and who do you think is likely to leave before the end of the month.
Beyond that, do you think Man United should bring anyone else in this winter?
Details released of Andy Burnham’s meetings with Manchester City owners while Mayor
Emily Sergeant
Details of Andy Burnham’s meetings with Manchester City owners during his tenure as Mayor of Greater Manchester have been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed on the situation a little first, Manchester City was found guilty back in September all of its charges related to the Premier League’s financial rules over a nine-season period, and on top of that, was also found guilty of the majority of charges in relation to its failure to co-operate with the League’s investigation.
According to the Premier League, the independent Commission found that Manchester City had arranged so-called ‘sham’ commercial deals with a number of its sponsors.
These were part of a disguised funding scheme – with those sponsors only required to pay a portion of the relevant sponsorship fees.
The remainder was then funded by Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development Ltd (ADUG), which owned the club.
The Commission also concluded, as quoted by the Premier League, that the club had ‘made concerted efforts to stop and frustrate the Premier League investigation’.
Within the past week or so, it has since come to light that now-Prime Minister Andy Burnham had dealings with Manchester City during his tenure as Greater Manchester Mayor, and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has now issued a public statement, giving details on the matter and what these ‘dealings’ entailed.
A spokesperson for GMCA confirmed that Burnham had a ‘formal meeting’ with Man City Chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, back in October 2021.
The statement reads in full: “In October 2021, Andy Burnham, in his role as Mayor of Greater Manchester, had a formal meeting with Khaldoon Al Mubarak at the UK Government’s Global Investment Summit arranged by the Department for International Trade.
“In his capacity as Mayor, he was a guest of Manchester City FC at home matches on a small number of occasions, including attending Vincent Kompany’s testimonial match in September 2019, where he met the Chairman informally in the stands. These have been declared in the usual way.
“Also during his time as Mayor, representatives of Greater Manchester sporting clubs would routinely join business delegations as part of Mayoral international visits.
“This included representatives from Manchester United travelling to Austin and Dublin, Lancashire Cricket Club joining a delegation to India, and Manchester City FC staff supporting visits to China and Japan.”
Featured Image – Lauren Hurley / Number 10 Downing Street (Press Image via Flickr)
Sport
Multiple arrests made for ‘tragedy chanting’ and police officer assault as Man City defeated Liverpool
Emily Sergeant
Multiple people were arrested over the weekend as Manchester City defeated Liverpool in a Premier League clash.
Merseyside Police have confirmed that a total of 10 people were arrested during the policing operation at Liverpool’s home ground of Anfield as they hosted Manchester City on Sunday 11 October.
One man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police constable, five were on suspicion of tragedy chanting, one on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly, two for affray, and one on suspicion of throwing items onto the pitch.
Police are now appealing to the public, and are particularly looking to speak to witnesses of the assault of the officer.
At around 6:35pm, as fans left the stadium, a police officer sustained a ‘serious facial injury’ during the arrest of a man on Anfield Road, and was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment but is now recovering at home.
Investigating officers are now conducting enquiries, speaking to witnesses, and analysing CCTV and camera phone footage.
Chief Inspector Leanne Hobin said it’s ‘extremely disappointing’ that an officer has sustained a serious injury while carrying out their duty.
“I hope the arrests send a clear message and act as a deterrent to others,” Chief Inspector Hobin continued. “Anyone who engages in this abhorrent behaviour risks ending up in custody and getting a criminal record.
“Despite the actions of a few, the overwhelming majority of the 60,000 fans in attendance behaved well and I want to thank them for their co-operation.”
Manchester City ended up defeated Liverpool 3-0 during the Premier League clash at Anfield.
Danny Jones -
1st January 2026 
