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Dick Advocaat says Manchester United let go of a ‘real winner’ by allowing Tyrell Malacia complete a loan move to PSV Eindhoven for the remainder of the season.
Malacia, 25, made eight appearances in all competitions under Ruben Amorim this season after returning from an 18-month spell on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.
But in the dying embers of the January transfer window, PSV announced that they had wrapped up a temporary agreement for Malacia, with the left-back keen to secure regular first-team minutes in the second half of the campaign.
The Netherlands international went on to make his full PSV debut at the weekend, playing 78 minutes as the Eredivisie giants were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Willem II.
However, Malacia was left as an unused substitute on Tuesday night as Peter Bosz’s men suffered a 2-1 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League play-off with Juventus.
One man who knows Malacia more than most is ex-PSV and Sunderland boss Advocaat, who managed the full-back for a year and a half during their time together at Feyenoord.
‘I know that he hasn’t played for Manchester United for almost a year and a half, but this boy has a good head. Foppe de Haan (Dutch coach) always says: “He has a good head”,’ Advocaat told Voetbal International.
‘But I put it a bit nicer. At Feyenoord I saw that he is made of the right stuff.
‘When I was there, it was a bit more difficult financially and we had a lot of young players. But boys like Orkun Kokcu, Lutsharel Geertruida and also Malacia handled that very well. Real professionals who really wanted to make it. They came from the youth team, came into the team and stayed. They did great.
‘I am convinced of that: Tyrell is a real winner. As a trainer I didn’t have to say too much to him.’
Advocaat is confident Malacia has found the right environment to help him return to his best in the second half of the season.
‘He fits in with PSV, they are a good club for him. Tyrell is good on the ball, can be important in attack at PSV in Bosz’s game. And don’t underestimate his defensive qualities,’ he added.
‘Tyrell may not be that big, but he holds his own. At Feyenoord he always went into battle. He is also really not afraid of anyone.
‘Here in the Netherlands, he can become the player he was again. He knows the competition well and at PSV there are also players he knows from Oranje, that will give him a good feeling.’
After a frustrating few months, Malacia was understandably delighted to seal a temporary move to PSV, where hopes to ‘win several prizes’.
‘I’m happy to be here. Finally playing good football again,’ the Dutchman told PSV’s official website after signing on the dotted line.
‘I am coming off a long injury, but by now I am fit and know that my time will come again.
‘In every tough period there are also positive elements and in this case that is that I have become much stronger physically and mentally. I have more patience, am more mature, know my body better and things like that. I’m ready to pop and hopefully win several prizes with PSV.’
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