Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has said that Tyrell Malacia may not return from his long-term knee injury before the end of the campaign.
The Netherlands international reported for pre-season last summer with a knee injury. He subsequently underwent a surgery for the same concern.
The 24-year-old has since suffered setbacks in his recovery and speaking in yesterday’s press conference, Ten Hag said that he won’t be available this term.
He told Manutd.com: “I think it’s going to be difficult for [Malacia] to be available this season but he will fight. He’s back on the pitch, but not in the team.”
“In the process he had some setbacks and [he] is still going really slowly forward, and the season is coming to an end.”
When pressed on Luke Shaw’s injury, the manager added that his situation is quite similar, though he could be available for the final games of the campaign.
He added: “I think it’s the same. Yeah, maybe for the last games of the season, but we don’t expect him back this [month] or next month. As a team, and as a squad, we have to deal with it.”
United have had a tough campaign. Injuries have partly been the reason. Malacia has been on the sidelines from the start of the season with his knee problems.
Shaw has been unreliable with his fitness too. He has picked up multiple muscular injuries. The Englishman is not expected to return before the start of May.
With the duo injured, Victor Lindelof has been operating as an emergency left-back.
Diogo Dalot is more comfortable in the role than the Swede, but the injury to right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka has meant that Ten Hag has not had that option.
We are still surprised why Sergio Reguilon’s loan deal was cancelled in January. The Spaniard would have provided good cover in the absence of Shaw and Malacia.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
