The only question Manchester United fans have been asking all year is “Where is Tyrell Malasia?”
Tyrell Malasia was Erik ten Hag’s first signing for Manchester United. The club paid Feyenoord just £13 million for the Dutch international, which seemed like a wise move.
Marasía had a good first season, playing 39 games in total, but this season was not memorable for his mistake against Sevilla at Old Trafford. There were plenty of good moments there too, where he proved to be a capable replacement for Luke Shaw.
But he hasn’t played a single game this season and United fans have been kept in the dark about what was going on.
What was Tyrell Malasia’s injury?
Tyrell Malasia did not play in any of the team’s early preseason games. Although he was not in the squad for the FA Cup final, he did start in the final Premier League game of the 2022-23 season.
Despite being pictured with Carrington during pre-season, United announced that Malasia was injured and would not take part in the tour of the United States.
United have remained silent on the nature of the injury, with Ten Hag only saying in August that he “likened it to a casualty”.
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The club’s website said: “Eric says Tyrell’s injury is comparable to injuries sustained by Amad and Koby Mainu on tour.
“With Malasia it will take time, just like with Amad and Koby. They are really shocking injuries,” Ten Hag said.
Mainu returned in October and Amad in December. Malasia is yet to be included in the matchday squad.
Ten Hag did not reveal the subsequent revelation that Malasia had undergone surgery.
The Athletic In late October, Malasia reported that she started training in private sessions and in addition to fitness, she also trained with a ball. But then he experienced a setback.
Tyrell Malasia’s setback
After Tyrell Malasia suffered a setback, it took until December for Manchester United to finally properly communicate the details of his injury.
The club revealed that he underwent surgery for a knee injury, but details have not yet been released.
However, their promise to return in early 2024 has yet to materialize.
“Tyrell Malasia has recovered from a knee injury and is expected to return to action early next year,” the club said in a statement.
“The Dutch left-back has not played so far this season following summer surgery. Unfortunately, he suffered a setback during his rehabilitation and required further surgery.”
Tyrell Malasia Latest Updates
Manchester United released further updates on Tyrell Malasia in early February, claiming he was close to returning.
Erik ten Hag said: “He experienced setbacks in the rehabilitation process. It’s taking too long, which is bad for him. Bad for us.
“But now we are turning points around and that is positive. He will be back on the pitch soon. Then I don’t think it will be long before he returns to team training.”
Only time will tell if Ten Hag is right. At least Manchester United are more open.
Given his time out, it will take Malasia several weeks to return to match fitness even if he does start training, and United will be cautious following his setback.
Maybe Malasia will only make a token appearance at the end of this season, or maybe not at all in 2023/24.