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Forgotten Manchester United star Tyrell Malacia has taken a huge step toward a return to action as he took part in team training for the first time in over a year yesterday.
Malacia missed the entirety of last season with an unnecessary injury problem that was created under farcical circumstances.
He sustained a knee injury toward the end of the 2022/23 season but played through the pain rather than declaring himself unfit. In pre-season, he had his own personal surgeon operate on the knee rather than report it to the club’s medical team.
However, this was not completely successful, with pieces of cartilage remaining around the knee, so he then had corrective surgery.
Returning to Carrington however, such were the number of injuries to United players that Malacia’s recovery was put on the back burner and he was only allowed rehab four times a week as other players were prioritised in the club’s blatantly inadequate medical facility.
There were also reports of mental health problems around the turn of this year and the ill-fated defender also ended up in hospital after being involved in an accident when travelling in teammate Marcus Rashford’s car.
Finally, though, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the likeable Dutchman. According to the club’s official website, Malacia “took part in the warm-up part of Friday’s training session at Carrington.”
“The Netherlands international was welcomed back onto the grass by his team-mates, who all applauded as he made his way through to the pitch at our base,” the report continues.
“Obviously, his colleagues were delighted as he joined in with the rondos before later continuing with an individual session.”
It would appear from this that his nightmare could finally be coming to an end and that he could be eligible for selection within a month or so.
Meanwhile, the player to whom he is an understudy, Luke Shaw, mysteriously remains absent from training.
The full reason for Shaw’s protracted absence has not been revealed by the club. Several estimated return dates came and went before the end of last season with no sign of Shaw.
He did manage to make a return in time to play for England in Euro 24 before falling injured again, with the same issue this season of suggested return dates being put back time and again.
At this rate, Malacia could be back before the England man, but whether he will get into the side now that Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are performing well at left and right back, respectively, remains to be seen.
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