Manchester United receive a big update on Tyrell Malacia's injury
Manchester United manager Erik the Hag has provided a promising update on Tyrell Malacia's injury and return to full fitness.
The 25-year-old joined the Red Devils in 2022 and was the first signing following the arrival of Ten Hag from Ajax Amsterdam as the new manager.
The Dutchman enjoyed a promising debut campaign at Old Trafford, helping his side finish third in the league with 75 points and win the Carabao Cup.
However, he has been sidelined with a serious knee injury for over a year and last played for the club against Fulham in the final game of the 2022/23 season.
Malacia did not play a single minute last season and has not featured at all this season either. Now, Ten Hag has said that the 25-year-old has been working hard and “progressing very well” to be fully fit.
Malacia will be back soon
The Dutch coach also says that Malacia has been making great strides and that “in a short time” he is ready to return to full training with the first team and “soon” he will start playing matches.
He said (club website):
“Of course, we want to motivate him to come back, but it’s not that easy when you’re out for so long. It’s been more than a season since he got injured until he came back, but he’s working very hard, he’s progressing very well at the moment.
“He's making great strides, so we think we can expect him to be in team training in the short term. He's a talent, he's a natural. I also hope he can play again soon.”
Manchester United struggled at left-back last season, with Malacia also missing through injury, and Luke Shaw. Ten Hag was therefore left without a specialist left-back for most of last season.
Things have not improved much this season either, with both still out. Shaw played for England at the European Championships this summer but suffered a new problem after returning to pre-season training.
So Diogo Dalot has been used as a left-sided defender in the first few games, but considering the fixtures will be close from now on, United need the duo back quickly.
It is therefore a huge boost for United that Malacia can play again soon and the Old Trafford faithful will be hoping Shaw can return as quickly as possible too.
