Ruben Amorim has ended Tyrell Malacia’s exile from Manchester United and will give the left-back a ‘serious chance’ to force his way back into the first-team.
Malacia was part of United’s ‘bomb squad’ during the summer transfer window – the small group of players deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, ordered to train away from the first-team while they searched for new clubs.
Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho made up the group with the quartet all moved on.
Malacia was also expected to leave but despite interest from Lille, Roma, Elche and clubs in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, no move materialised.
The 26-year-old briefly featured under Amorim last season having returned to fitness from a long-term knee injury and despite the club’s efforts to offload him, is now back in the manager’s plans.
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Voetbal International report Malacia has returned to the first-team squad with ‘immediate effect’.
The Netherlands international has been training with United’s Under-21 squad for the last couple of weeks with those around the group impressed by his attitude and intensity levels.
His hard work has now been rewarded.
Malacia became the first signing of the Erik ten Hag era in the summer of 2022 and enjoyed a bright first season in Manchester, providing cover and competition for Luke Shaw.
Injury struck at the end of the 2022-23 season however and he would spend the next 17 months out of the team.
He returned to action for the club’s Under-21s in November 2024, making eight first-team appearances under Amorim before joining PSV Eindhoven on loan in the January transfer window.
Patrick Dorgu has become Amorim’s first choice at left wing-back since his arrival in January with Diogo Dalot occasionally brought over from the right to provide cover.
Luke Shaw’s days at full-back or wing-back appear to be over with the England international playing exclusively as part of a back three this season.
With no European football this season having already been dumped out of the Carabao Cup, Malacia may find starting opportunities hard to come by in the coming months.