After missing out on his desired exit in the summer, Tyrell Malacia is training with Manchester United’s Under-21s.
It remains to be seen whether he will return to the first team in the coming months. If not, he is almost certain to be on the move when the window reopens in January.
Tyrell Malacia: What happened this summer?
At the end of August, Malacia was on the verge of signing for Elche on a season-long loan.
He had been given assurances over his playing time over in Spain and was keen to make the switch. However, the deal collapsed at the very final stages after the two clubs failed to reach an agreement over a potential buy option.
The main European window then closed, leaving the defender with limited options if he were to complete a move elsewhere. Malacia subsequently received an offer from Eyupspor in Turkey, where the deadline was 12 days after England’s, but he turned down the prospect of plying his trade in the Super Lig.
Andre Onana, meanwhile, was adamant to continue playing football for the first half of 2025/2026, so he joined Trabzonspor for the term following United’s deadline-day acquisition of Senne Lammens.
Malacia’s United exile continues into the new season
Alas, Malacia is now the only remaining member of United’s bomb squad at Carrington. He was made to watch on throughout the summer as Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho all embarked on new ventures elsewhere.
“He is returning with contact with the ball with the Under-21s, then we will see,” said Ruben Amorim when pressed on Malacia’s continued absence with the senior squad.
The 26-year-old made eight appearances under Amorim last season before being sent out on loan to PSV Eindhoven. He ended his spell with an Eredivisie winners’ medal to his name, but the club decided against signing him permanently.
