Amorim Throws Lifeline to Banished Man Utd Star in Stunning U-Turn

Overlooked defender Tyrell Malacia is expected to rejoin Manchester United's main squad training after being unable to secure a departure from Old Trafford during the summer window.

The 26-year-old was among five players in the club's "unwanted list," but couldn't complete a transfer before September's deadline unlike Marcus Rashford, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho.

Malacia came close to signing with Spanish side Elche in the final days of the window, but the transfer fell through at the last moment, leaving the Dutch player stuck in Manchester.

Nevertheless, reports from The Athletic indicate that the left-back has been "brought back" into the United roster under Ruben Amorim and will shortly resume training at Carrington with the main team.

Malacia has been working out with the Under-21 squad while regaining match fitness but will now join other left-backs Patrick Dorgu, Diego León and Luke Shaw in the first team—though Shaw has been deployed as a center-back this campaign.

Malacia's comeback is not believed to stem from any injury concerns within the squad or the club's poor performance, with the Red Devils suffering defeats in four of their first seven matches across all tournaments this season.

Another of Erik ten Hag's Dutch league acquisitions, Malacia's fitness problems have hindered his development at Old Trafford following his £13 million ($17.6 million) transfer from Feyenoord. He was sidelined for the complete 2023–24 campaign with a knee problem and has only featured in eight games for United since returning from rehabilitation.

Malacia was loaned to PSV Eindhoven for the latter portion of last season, appearing in 12 matches for the Dutch club. Having not participated in competitive action since May, he will need to be gradually reintroduced to regular play.