‘Really tough’ – Dalot signals sympathy for team-mate recovering from long-term injury

Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has been asked to play at left-back this season due to the lack of available options in the squad. Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have yet to fully recovery from their long-term injuries.

Luke Shaw can only prepare himself for England duty it seems, while Tyrell Malacia only recently returned to first-team training following a long-term knee injury.

The Netherlands full-back has suffered numerous setbacks, which is why we are not holding our breath on his return to the team anytime soon. That has not stopped him from sharing videos with boxing bags in the gym.

Many fans believe United missed a trick not signing a new left-back in the summer. Hindsight, as we learned last season during the Alvaro Fernandez/Sergio Reguilon episode.

Dalot: Manchester United need Tyrell Malacia

Speaking to ManUtd.com in an exclusive interview, Dalot says it was tough to see Malacia’s struggles and that the team is delighted to see him back training amongst the group.

“Yeah. It was really tough to see him and the struggle that he’s been through. You can’t imagine how difficult it would be to not be able to do what you love, your job, for such a long time.

“That’s why we celebrated when he came on training with us, even if it was just for the little boxes… to make sure that he feels we are ready to welcome him and to keep helping him, because he’s going to need it.

“At the end of the day, it was a really long time since he got an injury. We’re really pleased to have him. The team needs him and the club needs him, so we are really happy.”

Long spell out for Malacia

Malacia had surgery in the summer of 2023, but he suffered multiple setbacks in his recovery which have delayed his return to competitive action.

He has been pictured participating in training sessions, although Erik ten Hag will be mindful enough not to rush him back. The fears of him suffering another setback are too big for that.

With Malacia’s last competitive game in May of last year, it remains to be seen if we will see him back in action before Christmas.