‘Wasn’t able to walk anymore’ - Man Utd star admits personal trauma is still difficult sometimes

Manchester United left-back Tyrell Malacia returned to action for the first time in 535 days when he played the first-half for the Red Devils’ under-21s against Huddersfield Town in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, and he has opened up on his injury nightmare.

The Netherlands international last played for the Man United first-team in the final weekend of the 2022-23 Premier League campaign against Fulham, with a tear in his left meniscus requiring surgery afterwards.

Inflammation around the affected knee two weeks after the operation forced him to go under the knife again, and while Malacia is looking forward to his return, he has admitted that the personal traumas he faced during his time still take a toll on him.

The 25-year-old lost his grandmother last December while his father Sanroy Malacia fell seriously ill.

“He wasn’t able to walk anymore,” the defender told The Athletic.

“For my family, it was a big, big impact. It’s still difficult sometimes.”

He has managed to overcome the traumas and return from his injury after several months of rehabilitation, and his teammates will continue to provide him with the needed support going forward.

Malacia was ahead of Luke Shaw in the pecking order under manager Erik ten Hag in his debut campaign at Man United, and he will now hope to force his way into the plans of new head coach Ruben Amorim.

The left-back position has been a source of concern for the Red Devils for a while, but the Dutchman could look like a new signing once he attains full fitness in the coming weeks.

Malacia is not guaranteed a starting place in the first-team and how he will fit into the 3-4-3 system of the new boss remains to be seen.

However, he will fancy his chances of proving himself, and he has what it takes to re-establish himself in the team going forward.