United News | Malacia is back training with first team

Defender Tyrell Malacia has returned to first-team training.

Malacia was the one remaining member of the so-called 'bomb squad' exiled by head coach Ruben Amorim who did not get a move away from Old Trafford.

Author | Olivia T

Malacia playing for United against city in 2023

United sources say the plan had always been to reintegrate players still at the club and Malacia's return is not connected to any injuries or loss of form.

The Netherlands international spent the second half of last season on loan at PSV Eindhoven and was linked to a deadline-day move to Spain this summer. His time at Old Trafford has been scarred by injury.

A closer look at Malacia’s United career so far

We paid Feyenoord an initial fee of £13 million, with an extra £1.7 million in add-ons, to make him the club's first signing under former manager Erik ten Hag. 

On 7th August, he made his debut as a substitute in a 2–1 home loss against Brighton. On 22 August 2022, Malacia started for the first time for United in a 2–1 win against Liverpool. On 26 February 2023, he featured in the squad that won the EFL Cup final 2–0 against Newcastle, his first trophy with the club. Malacia started United's final Premier League match of the 2022–23 season on 28 May 2023, which proved to be his last appearance for over a calendar year. He was an unused substitute during the 2023 FA Cup Final, which was lost against city.

Following knee surgery, he then missed the entirety of the 2023/2024 season before returning to action in a Europa League match against Bodø/Glimt. After 8 appearances, he moved to PSV where he made 12 appearances and helped them to win the Eredivisie.

What could the future have in store?

🚨Tyrell Malacia is given another chance by Manchester United. The left-back seemed to have been left out but has been brought back into the first team. With immediate effect, the Dutchman is again part of the Manchester United squad.

With immediate effect, Malacia is again part… pic.twitter.com/o0h8GWhGMY

— UtdJoshua (@UtdJoshua03) September 30, 2025

Some may view Malacia’s return as an attempt to preserve the player’s value ahead of the January window, but Dutch media had reported that the United head coach will give him a “serious chance” to rejoin the first team. Malacia has been training with the club’s U21 squad for the past month and has been described as performing “off the charts” alongside the Academy players.

@owendino01 posted on Twitter/X: “When he first came, he had it in him but at some point, injuries and lack of confidence affected his development at United. Hopefully, he can find his form and help the team win matches.”