Ten Hag expects Manchester United left-back to return soon after long spell out injured

Erik ten Hag has admitted he expects Tyrell Malacia to return to action for Manchester United in the near future.

This is positive news since Malacia didn’t play a single minute of football last season due to a serious knee injury, which has kept him out of action for the start of the 2024/25 season.

The 25-year-old hasn’t been able to kick on from his impressive first season at United, after joining from Feyenoord two years ago.

Ten Hag has been without a recognised left-back since the beginning of the campaign, with Luke Shaw also ruled out with an injury. This means we’ve had to play Diogo Dalot on his least favourite flank.

We’ve also seen Lisandro Martinez asked to fill in at left-back, but his best role is at centre-back.

The manager states Malacia is moving in the right direction with his recovery.

“He’s making big steps,” Ten Hag told reporters on Thursday, as quoted by The Athletic.

“So we think, at short notice, we can expect him in the team training, and he is a talent, it’s natural. I expect also, soon, he can return into games then.”

At least when Malacia returns we’ll have more options across our defence.

Last season we didn’t have enough options due to injuries.

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