According to reports, the last member of Manchester United’s ‘bomb squad’ has returned to first-team action.
According to reports, Ruben Amorim has recalled the last surviving member of Manchester United’s ‘bomb squad’.
In the summer, under pressure, Amorim barred a handful of United players from training with the rest of the squad after thinking them surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho, and Tyrell Malacia were all ostracised at Carrington and forced to train separately from the first team as United sought to remove them off the books.
However, while four of the five aforementioned players have moved on to clubs such as Barcelona, Chelsea, Real Betis, and Aston Villa, left-back Malacia has yet to sign despite numerous offers.
Lille and AS Roma made offers, but a loan move to La Liga club Elche fell through at the transfer deadline, and Malacia had no desire to move to Turkey or Saudi Arabia.
How Malacia sealed his unexpected homecoming to Manchester United
Many were surprised when he was named to United’s Premier League squad in September, and according to the Daily Mail, Malacia’s attitude has been “an example for everybody else” during reserve team training sessions.
The 26-year-old, who spent part of last season on loan at PSV, has been complimented for his “off the charts” intensity.
And, after requesting to play in Under 21 games, Malacia is now back in the first-team squad “effectively immediately” due to his outstanding performance, according to Dutch outlet VI, citing sources.
The former Feyenoord defender will be given a chance to re-enter Amorim’s squad, where January addition Patrick Dorgu has been the first choice on the left side of the backline.
Malacia was bought by compatriot Erik ten Hag in 2022 for £13 million and made 39 appearances in his debut season.
However, he was sidelined for 18 months after knee surgery and returned under Amorim in a Europa League win against Bodo/Glimt in November, playing 45 minutes.
He subsequently played 12 games for PSV, helping them win the Eredivisie after going on loan to the Netherlands, before returning to United in the summer.
His contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and despite being United’s forgotten man, Malacia could now play a role for the Red Devils.
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