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Left-back has been a problem area for Manchester United since last season with injuries forcing Erik ten Hag to think of makeshift alternatives to plug the gap.
Both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia suffered long-term injuries last term, forcing the club to dip into the loan market to bring in Sergio Reguilon from Tottenham Hotspur.
The Spaniard also suffered niggling injuries and lasted only half a season before his temporary stint was terminated in January as he headed to Brentford instead.
That proved to be a huge blunder as Shaw’s return was once again blighted by injuries while Malacia did not play a single minute throughout the campaign.
Malacia’s injury nightmare
Ten Hag was forced to play centre-back Victor Lindelof and defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat on the left due to the lack of senior specialists, a ploy that backfired massively.
That trend has continued this season as well with the England international yet to regain fitness after suffering a pre-season injury while Ten Hag’s first recruit is not expected to be back before October.
Noussair Mazraoui was brought in due to his versatility while Diogo Dalot has had to fill in at the start of the season while academy ace Harry Amass expected to make his senior debut should any problems arise.
It was a surprise to see Malacia’s name in the Europa League squad named by the club and has been pictured in individual training, a great sight considering the Dutch international’s injury nightmare.
The manager was asked about his rehabilitation and how close to a comeback he was and the former Ajax coach said, “Of course, we want to motivate him to return, but it’s not so easy when you are so long away.
“Over a season now from an injury to return, but he’s working very hard, he’s progressing really well in this moment,” the former Ajax coach told the club’s official website.
EtH on Malacia
“He’s making big steps, 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.”
Having not played for so long, it is obvious that Malacia will find it difficult initially and the club need to be very careful so as not to push him too hard too soon.
Last season, the club’s handling of Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez and Shaw’s injuries did not help matters and they need to ensure that is not repeated.
The 25-year-old had made 39 appearances during his maiden campaign, impressing as the Englishman’s backup and Ten Hag will hope to see him fit soon.
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