Manchester United have announced Tyrell Malacia is to rejoin first-team training after a spell away from the senior set-up. The 26-year-old Dutch left-back trained with the under-21s after Man United sidelined him in the summer as part of their so-called “bomb squad,” a group the club deemed surplus to requirements.
From Exile to First-Team
Malacia belonged to a group of players United deemed surplus to requirements, alongside Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, and Antony. While the other four left Old Trafford, Malacia stayed after a potential loan to Spanish side Elche collapsed. Sources close to the club confirmed that the club planned his reintegration with the senior squad and emphasized that the decision did not respond to United’s recent results or injuries to other players.
Career So Far and Injury Struggles
Tyrell Malacia signed for Manchester United in 2022 as the first transfer of Erik ten Hag. He quickly became a regular in the 2022-23 season, but picked up a long-term knee injury toward the end of that campaign and missed out the whole 2023-24 season.
Last season he had spent the second half of the previous campaign on loan at PSV Eindhoven, where he made eight appearances, before rejoining Man United in January under manager Ruben Amorim. His return provides further competition and depth at left-back for United.
Author’s Opinion
Malacia returns at the perfect moment: Manchester United players perform poorly, and critics sharply criticize Ruben Amorim. His quality, versatility and knowledge of the club would be a timely addition to the left hand side. A positive return for him but it is still to be determined if he can wrestle back a regular starting role and make any sort of impact at United in what looks set to be one of their biggest seasons in years.
As featured on ManUNews.com
