Erik Ten Hag confirms injured Man United star expected to return ‘soon’
Andrew Walker
Manchester United's Dutch manager Erik ten Hag (R) speaks to Manchester United's Dutch defender Tyrell Malacia (L) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on October 2, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)
Erik Ten Hag has admitted he expects Tyrell Malacia to return to Manchester United action soon.
The 25-year-old joined from Feyenoord two years ago but an injury-struck year has seen him miss over 50 matches.
Malacia’s knee injury has kept him out for 423 days and with Luke Shaw also struggling, Ten Hag has been forced to deploy a makeshift backline.
Lisandro Martinez has, at times, been asked to fill in at left-back with last season’s emergency loanee Sergio Reguilon also helping out.
Tyrell Malacia injury: Erik Ten Hag gives positive update
However, according to Ten Hag, Malacia is heading in the right direction to make his long-awaited return to action ‘soon’.
“He’s making big steps,” Ten Hag told reporters on Friday.
Tyrell Malacia in action for Manchester United.
“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.”
Although Saturday afternoon’s early kick off against Southampton will come too soon for United’s young number 12, fans could see him recalled to the squad for the Red Devils’ upcoming Europa League tie against FC Twente (Sept 25).
