After 535 days out of action, Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia is finally nearing a return to the first team. The 25-year-old Dutchman’s lengthy injury layoff has been marked by setbacks, personal tragedies, and even wild conspiracy theories about his whereabouts.
Malacia enjoyed a breakout debut season at Old Trafford in 2022-23, making 39 appearances in all competitions. However, a seemingly minor left knee issue he picked up towards the end of the campaign has kept him sidelined ever since.
“I didn’t expect me to do less because I know what I can do,” Malacia said of his first year at United. The very first signing of the Erik ten Hag era proved a reliable, dependable presence, often starting ahead of first-choice Luke Shaw.
The problem was a tear in Malacia’s left meniscus. After initial rest and rehabilitation did not resolve the issue, he underwent surgery in July 2023. But further complications arose, forcing him to have a second procedure that reset his recovery timeline.
“We had a lot of injuries and my injury needed a lot of attention,” Malacia explained. “So with the medical part, at some point we decided, ‘OK, you need some extra people around you to help you, to be there working with you every day to focus only on you.’”
As Malacia’s absence dragged on, wild speculation about his status ran rampant on social media, with some suggesting he had died or even run away with the Princess of Wales. The player chose not to address the rumors, saying: “If it wasn’t my cousin or my mum sending me this, I wouldn’t even know.”
Behind the scenes, Malacia was dealing with personal difficulties, including his father’s illness and the death of his grandmother, whom he described as his “second mum.” Coping with these challenges while also rehabbing his knee proved immensely difficult.
“I think you have to motivate yourself because if you’re not doing that, the world isn’t going to do it for you,” Malacia said. “If I’m not waking up in the morning… if I’m not working hard enough in the gym, my mum, my dad and my sister can’t do it for me.”
Now, after 535 days, Malacia is finally close to making his return. He played the first half for United’s under-21s in the EFL Trophy earlier this month and is targeting a comeback to the first team before the end of the season.
“I want to bring the team back on top,” Malacia said. “That’s what the standard has to be at Man United. Even though it’s difficult, you always should aim for the top.”
