Man Utd without 24yo star in pre-season due to injury, no timeframe for return - report

Manchester United have suffered an early setback in pre-season with Tyrell Malacia yet to return to training after his prolonged knee injury.

The Netherlands international has not played for the Red Devils since May last year. He missed pre-season last summer as he required a surgery for a knee problem.

The Feyenoord graduate had to undergo a fresh procedure before the New Year as they were small fragments found around his meniscus. He went on to miss the whole season.

Malacia was spotted working in the gym back in April, but he was absent from the training ground pictures released by the Red Devils earlier on Monday.

Among those not on international duty, only him and Jadon Sancho were not accounted for.

Manchester Evening News claim that the 24-year-old is still continuing his recovery from a knee injury and there is no timeframe on his potential return to training.

Malacia’s injury woes mean United must sign new left-back

The left-back department has become a problematic position for United over the past year.

Luke Shaw missed 37 of the club’s 52 games last term with three injury setbacks. Diogo Dalot had to operate as a makeshift left-back on several occasions during the season run-in.

The Portuguese fared well from the role, given his familiarity from the past, but manager Erik ten Hag would ideally want the 25-year-old to start at right-back which is his best position.

In that case, the club will have to enter the transfer market for a new signing. Ten Hag himself has admitted that Shaw can never play 60 games per season after his horrific injury in his career.

The Englishman will need to be rotated to keep him unscathed in future. United have recently been tipped to make an approach for Turkey star Ferdi Kadioglu, who can play in both full-back roles.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com