Manchester United and Dutch defender Tyrell Malacia is back to footballing action after a lengthy injury layoff.
The young defender, who arrived at the Old Trafford club from Dutch outfit Feyenoord, had his dream start to life with the club shattered after a nightmare injury incident in June 2023. He picked up a knee injury while on international duty with the Netherlands national team in the 2023 UEFA Nations League.
Initially, it was thought he would recover soon and return to action with Manchester United, but the club was dealt a blow when it was confirmed that the injury was a ‘severe’ one and will require surgery.
A 14-month layoff followed the grim update with the footballer sidelined throughout the entirety of the 2023-24 season.
Malacia last played for Manchester United in the 2022-23 campaign in his debut season, featuring in the club’s 2-1 win over Fulham. He then joined the Netherlands senior national team, where he picked up the devastating injury.
Tyrell Malacia’s injury and Manchester United’s injury crisis in the 2023-24 season
Tyrell Malacia’s injury blow summed up the face of Manchester United’s nightmare injury crisis last season.
The Old Trafford club was among the Premier League clubs with the highest cases of injuries in the season. According to Transfermarkt, United recorded 35 injury cases in the campaign with a total of 233 games missed by the affected players.
Only Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho were not affected by the plague. All other members of the squad were sidelined at least once.
Mason Mount led the list of players who were struggling on and off the sidelines. Other injury-prone players were Lisandro Martinez, Diogo Dalot, and Luke Shaw. 2023 summer arrival from Atalanta Rasmus Hojlund saw his debut delayed due to injury. After returning to action, he was sidelined again.
United’s defence department was the worst hit, with Tyrell Malacia ruled out for the season. Lisandro Martinez was another worst injury casualty in the department, missing several games due to a recurrent metatarsal injury.
Tyrell Malacia, others’ injuries: Manchester United opened an investigation
Six months after the injury blow, it was thought Tyrell Malacia would be back to action in January 2024. Reports later emerged that he had suffered a setback in his rehabilitation. His return had to be delayed with United’s medical team blamed for poor management of the player’s rehabilitation.
Luke Shaw was another United player who was consigned to the sideline due to apparent poor management of his fitness. Shaw was reportedly unfit when he was cleared to return to action only to be sidelined again after a match.
Manchester United’s new sports chiefs, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, reportedly asked for a forensic probe into the grinding injury problems that rocked the club as it was evidenced that something has gone wrong. Reports of the investigation were undisclosed but training facilities were also reportedly upgraded to mitigate the menace.
This season, Manchester United have yet to get rid of the injury problems. At the time of filing this report, Rasmus Hojlund is on the sidelines. He has yet to make an appearance for the club this season after he picked up an injury in a pre-season friendly against Arsenal.
A new signing from Lille, Leny Yoro, is also unavailable for the club due to an ankle injury he picked up during the pre-season friendlies. Luke Shaw is also still on the sidelines.
Manchester United players celebrate Tyrell Malacia’s return
The return of Tyrell Malacia is a significant boost to Manchester United as they prepare for an improved Premier League campaign.
And for a young player who had his career on a standstill for a full season, returning to action was worth celebrating.
Manchester United players did this in style, welcoming Tyrell Malacia to his first training session with celebrations.
Footage shared by the club showed the players mounting a guard of honour for the youngster as he returned to the training pitch.
The Dutchi, who made 39 appearances for the club before the injury blow, will hope to get off the mark as he returns to action.
