Ruben Amorim asked Manchester United players to vote on the future of ‘bomb squad’ member Tyrell Malacia, according to reports.
In football, the term ‘bomb squad’ describes a group of players excluded from the first team, often made to train apart from the main squad or with youth and development sides.
Clubs frequently use this tactic to apply pressure on unwanted players to secure moves elsewhere.
Malacia was part of a five-man ‘bomb squad’ at United which also featured Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Jadon Sancho.
United managed to offload Garnacho and Antony in the summer transfer window, while Rashford and Sancho were sent out on loan.
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Malacia was the only member of the United ‘bomb squad’ to stay at Old Trafford.
Man Utd stars ‘spoke in favour’ of Malacia return
After the transfer window closed, Amorim asked United players for their opinions on what to do with Malacia, The Athletic have reported.
It is understood that United players ‘spoke in favour’ of Malacia’s return to first-team training.
Amorim very much listened to that feedback with Malacia returning to United’s bench for the Premier League win over Brighton last month.
Malacia’s failed moves to Eyupspor and Elche
In September, it was reported that United had ‘reached an agreement’ to offload Malacia on loan to Turkish club Eyupspor but the move collapsed.
The 26-year-old Netherlands international left-back almost joined Spanish side Elche on loan too.
United have three left-backs in their squad ahead of Malacia in the pecking order – Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu and Diego Leon.
Former United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen admitted in August that Malacia’s move to United three years ago ‘never really worked out’.
Malacia has played a total of 47 games for United since he joined the club from Feyenoord in a deal worth a reported £13m before add-ons.
The Dutchman only made three Premier League appearances for United last season and was eventually sent out on loan to PSV.
Malacia was a key player for Feyenoord before signing for United in the summer of 2022.