And then there was one.
Manchester United entered the summer window with the intent to shift every member of Ruben Amorim’s ‘bomb squad’ – a group of five players, including Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Tyrell Malacia, who had no future under the Portuguese coach at Old Trafford.
But, as the transfer market in England slammed shut on September 1, only Malacia remained after a deadline day move to La Liga side Elche broke down.
A man without a home
Malacia, 26, spent the second half of last season on loan with PSV Eindhoven after falling down the pecking order following Amorim’s arrival in November to replace Erik ten Hah, the manager who brought him to Old Trafford.
PSV emerged champions in Holland in a pulsating final day of the Eredivisie but the club chose not to turn Malacia’s loan deal into a permanent one and he returned to Manchester.
The former Feyenoord star lacks the physicality to compete in the Premier League as a left-back and the technical quality to thrive as a wing-back.
Despite Amorim’s insistence he would reintegrate any ‘bomb squad’ member who did not secure a move, United are continuing to push for Malacia’s exit.
The transfer markets in Saudi Arabia and Turkey remain open with the Dutchman a target for clubs in both leagues.
A false alarm
One such suitor was Turkish hotshot Eyüpspor with the Super Lig side reported to have opened talks with United over a move last week.
This quickly escalated into a full agreement over a season-long loan, according to an update from Turkish journalist Reşat Can Özbudak yesterday.
However, Fabrizio Romano has poured cold water on an imminent exit for Malacia, though the Italian transfer expert insists it is still a “possibility”.
Speaking in a weekly newsletter for GIVEMESPORT, Romano was asked whether Malacia would still leave Old Trafford this month. “It’s a possibility, yes. Nothing agreed or done yet, but several clubs are showing interest,” he responded.
This does not rule out the prospect of Eyüpspor striking a deal for Malacia – but it does appear Turkish media may have jumped the gun on this one with the Super Lig transfer market closing on Friday.
Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
