Manchester United provide Tyrell Malacia return date hint following training statement

Manchester United have provided a hint as to when Tyrell Malacia could return to Erik ten Hag’s squad following an update on his fitness.

Tyrell Malacia has not played a single minute of professional football since the end of the 2022/23 campaign, following multiple surgeries on a significant knee problem he had since signing for Manchester United.

Malacia signed for Erik ten Hag‘s club for a fee of around £13 million from Feyenoord in the 2022 summer transfer window, and during his first season, he competed with Luke Shaw for the left-back spot.

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However, his injuries ruled him out for the entire 2023/24 season, and many fans wondered what the root causes of his absences really are.

However, on Sunday morning, the club provided a fresh update on Malacia’s situation, confirming that he is now training on grass as part of an individual fitness programme.

“There was encouraging news from Carrington on Friday after Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia progressed his fitness programme,” a statement on the club’s website read.

“Young left-back Malacia returned to base earlier this week, after working hard throughout his summer break.

“Tyrell has this week been pictured training individually on the grass under the guidance of medical staff.” They also added that “he is doing everything he can to regain full fitness.”

United’s statement is not only good news regarding the player’s availability but also hints that he is no longer suffering from the knee issues that have kept him away from the game for the last 13 months.

If Malacia is undergoing a fitness programme, as the club explained, this suggests that he is now working towards regaining his match fitness rather than undergoing exercises to help with his rehabilitation, meaning he may be able to rejoin the team soon.

While it is too early for Malacia to take part in United’s first pre-season friendly on Monday afternoon against Rosenborg and potentially at the end of next week for the Scotland trip to play Rangers, he may travel with the squad to the United States of America.

United play Arsenal, Real Betis, and Liverpool as part of their pre-season tour before facing Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, 10 August.

If this is the case, Malacia may well be granted some minutes against Arsenal on 28 July ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Luke Shaw also returned to full fitness with England during the 2024 European Championships, meaning United may be able to enter the season with two fit left-backs. This will be a refreshing boost for Erik ten Hag.

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