Erik ten Hag might be about to unleash Manchester United's next academy hopeful

"Where is Tyrell Malacia?", Manchester United supporters asked on social media on Monday.

The left-back has not played for the club since the final day of the 2022/23 Premier League season and was missing from the collection of training ground images published by the club as the players reported back for the start of pre-season training.

Malacia required two rounds of surgery on a knee injury last year and was rarely seen around the club. Prior to being photographed at the FA Cup final in May, he had not been snapped since the opening day of pre-season last July.

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Despite Erik ten Hag, ahead of United's 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United at St James' Park last December, saying Malacia would be available from the "New Year onwards," the left-back is still in the recovery process and United have not put a timeframe on when he could return.

United were plagued by injury issues last season and the left-back department was one of the most heavily affected areas, with Luke Shaw also spending large portions of the season out injured. He made his first appearance since February by stepping off the bench in England's quarter-final win over Switzerland at the European Championship on Saturday.

Many have suggested United should consider investing in a new left-back this summer to avoid the possibility of being left short again. When Malacia may return is impossible to predict and Shaw's fragility cannot be ignored.

Looking at the here and now in isolation, however, United have the opportunity to run the rule over one of their most sought-after academy products in the form of Harry Amass. The left-back, 17,