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Saturday 25 January 2025 07:00
Tyrell Malacia hopes Manchester United can draw on the experience of our most recent visit to London, when facing Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday.
The Dutchman came on as a substitute in the dramatic penalty shootout Emirates FA Cup third-round win over Arsenal earlier this month and has admitted the backing of our vociferous away following helped give energy to the players during a gruelling extra-time period with 10 men, following Diogo Dalot’s dismissal.
While the competition will be different this weekend, and the Reds won’t have as big an allocation at Craven Cottage, the defender is optimistic that steps towards progress can be taken in the capital.
“It’s always nice,” he told us, about the FA Cup triumph. “We got the win and playing with 10 men.
“It was difficult for everyone but I think you could see, in the game, that we played as a team. Everybody was fighting to win and we got the reward in the end.
“I enjoyed it because the fans give you always like an extra boost because, of course, you could see everybody was tired but, because our fans were there for us, it gives you an extra boost go to again.”
Malacia says he would have had no qualms about stepping up to take a penalty but was happy for his countryman Joshua Zirkzee to slam in the winning spot-kick to spark the celebrations.
The two recent matches against Arsenal pitted the wing-back against Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling but he made the point that the direct opponent is always tough, as will be the case with Fulham, who are enjoying a good campaign.
“You always want to play against the best,” he said. “So that’s why I’m at Manchester United. That’s why you want to play in the Premier League. I’m always prepared. I always want to play good games, so it doesn’t matter against who.
“I feel sharp and I feel ready. All I want to do is to play football. It’s been a long time so I’m happy to be back.”
Malacia came on as a substitute again, during the second half of the 2-1 victory over Rangers, in the Europa League on Thursday night.
The 25-year-old had a message to the fans who have continued to back the Reds over what has been a difficult league campaign.
“It’s the hard work,” he said. “It’s being together as a team and to show it on the pitch, as well, in the games.
“Of course, it’s all of us. I think it’s the players on the pitch, the staff, the coach, the supporters. It’s like you need to be working like one unit.
“Sometimes, it’s difficult when you lose or we don’t play well but, at the end of the day, we need to stick together.”
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Saturday 25 January 2025 07:00
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