Tyrell Malacia is unlikely to play for Manchester United again this season. The left-back has been sidelined for months at The Red Devils with a knee injury and was expected to return in January, but manager Erik ten Hag doesn't anticipate the former Feyenoord player to make a comeback this season.
Manchester United faces a significant setback as Tyrell Malacia's chances of returning to match fitness this season dwindle, according to Erik ten Hag in an interview with The Athletic.
The Dutch defender's rehabilitation has been fraught with difficulties, experiencing several delays that have hampered his progress. Despite Malacia's efforts to fight back, having resumed individual field training, he has yet to rejoin team practices. The slow pace of his recovery, coupled with the season rapidly nearing its end, casts a shadow over his potential contribution to the team's remaining fixtures.
This injury blow is compounded by the absence of Luke Shaw, who is also sidelined for several weeks, leaving Manchester United in a precarious position regarding their left-back options. Ten Hag expressed regret over the decision to allow Sergio Reguilon to return to Tottenham Hotspur during the winter break, a move that, in hindsight, appears premature given the current injury crisis. Reguilon, who could have provided valuable cover, is now on loan at Brentford, leaving United to resort to makeshift solutions.
Diogo Dalot, Sofyan Amrabat, and Victor Lindelof have been drafted as emergency left-backs, illustrating the depth of United's defensive dilemmas. Ten Hag disclosed that the initial medical assessments had suggested both Shaw and Malacia would be fit by January, a prognosis that underpinned the decision to manage with the resources at hand. This optimistic outlook envisioned a scenario where United would have three available left-backs, posing a different challenge of rotation and selection disappointments.
However, the reality has been starkly different, with both Shaw and Malacia's contributions this season now in serious doubt. Ten Hag somberly noted that he does not anticipate their return before the final games of the season, if at all. This situation leaves Manchester United navigating the latter stages of their campaign without two key defenders, forcing the team to adapt and seek alternative strategies to solidify their backline as they pursue their objectives across competitions.