Manchester United injury update on two first-team defenders ahead of Crystal Palace

Manchester United defenders Tyrell Malacia and Victor Lindelof took part in training at Carrington on Friday.

Malacia last played a competitive fixture for the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League in June 2023 and is close to recovering from two rounds of knee surgery. The Dutchman took part in the warm-up and rondos with the squad on Friday and although he didn't take part in the full session, it represented another step in his progress.

After joining in the warm-up with his teammates, Malacia continued his individual programme while the rest of the group prepared for Crystal Palace. He will be carefully reintegrated as he progresses towards group training.

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“Of course, we want to motivate him to return, but it’s not so easy when you are so long away,” said Ten Hag at a press conference last week when asked about Malacia. “Over a season now from an injury to return, but he’s working very hard, he’s progressing really well in this moment.

“He’s making big steps, so we think, at short notice, we can expect him in the team training, and he is a talent, it’s natural. I expect also, soon, he can return into games then.”

Lindelof also returned to training and took part in the full session. The defender was expected to leave United in the summer but sustained an injury during the pre-season tour of the United States which meant the club couldn't arrange a transfer.

The 30-year-old has entered the final year of his contract at Old Trafford and can negotiate a free transfer with overseas clubs from January. The one-year extension in Lindelof's deal was triggered in the middle