Forgotten Man United man finally close to injury comeback in boost for manager Erik ten Hag

Manchester United are at long last set to welcome back a first-team player from injury in what could be a boost to manager Erik ten Hag.

The Red Devils suffered a humbling 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford in their final Premier League game before the international break — a result that placed Ten Hag under further scrutiny following a 2-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion the week before.

The Dutchman stayed in his post after an inquest was conducted by United's new sporting operators INEOS following a largely wretched 2023/24 season, in which they endured their worst ever Premier League campaign but salvaged some pride — and European football — by beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

One of the mitigating factors considered to be behind Ten Hag and his team's poor performance was the significant injury list that denied the manager the chance to field his best XI on a consistent basis. Now, one absentee is close to making a comeback after more than a year on the sidelines.

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Tyrell Malacia is near a return to team training after missing the entirety of 2023/24. His last appearance came in the 2-1 win over Fulham at home towards the end of 2022/23.

"Of course, we want to motivate him to return, but it's not so easy when you are so long away," Ten Hag said ahead of the game with Southampton on September 14. "Over a season now from an injury to return, but he's working very hard, he's progressing really well in this moment.

"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."

What happened to Tyrell Malacia?

Malacia suffered a serious knee injury that required surgery during the summer of 2023. It had hoped he might return to action later that year, but complications arose in his recovery, and he was unable to play for the whole of 2023/24.

The injury, combined with long-term layoffs for fellow left-back Luke Shaw, forced United to use makeshift cover for that position throughout the season. Sergio Reguilon was signed on loan from Tottenham, but that deal was terminated in January 2024 when Ten Hag received encouragement that both Shaw and Malacia were close to returns. Shaw did not play again all season after going off at halftime of the game with Luton Town on February 18, and Malacia did not once make a matchday squad.

However, the Netherlands international is said to have been working diligently in the latest phase of his recovery, having skipped United's preseason tour of the United States, and he was named in their Europa League squad for the league phase, which begins this month. That would suggest the Red Devils are confident he will be available again sooner rather than later.