Manchester United receive Tyrell Malacia injury boost

Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia trained individually and did some light ball work on Monday afternoon as he looks to return to fitness from a knee injury.

The Manchester Evening News revealed last week Malacia's long-term absence was due to the player sustaining a knee injury last season, which eventually required surgery.

It's understood the club initially looked to manage the knee injury with pain injections but surgery was needed.

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Malacia was on crutches after undergoing surgery and he spent some time in the Netherlands to recover. Sources indicated he would return before the New Year and it was suggested he could play as 'early as November'.

The player took the next step in his rehabilitation on Monday as he took part in light training with a coach away from the main group. Malacia was spotted training on his own and Carrington and doing individual ball work.

Malacia's return to light training suggests his return to action is now just a few weeks away, which is a boost for Erik ten Hag.

Ten Hag has contended with an injury crisis this season, particularly at left-back, with Luke Shaw, Malacia and Sergio Reguilon all having been injured, meaning Victor Lindelof and Sofyan Amrabat have played in that role.

Malacia last played a competitive fixture for the Netherlands in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League on June 14, appearing from the bench in that game for the final 15 minutes as his nation were defeated 4-2 by Croatia.

Reguilon trained with the main group on Monday afternoon and a late decision will be made to determine whether he can start against F.C. Copenhagen in the Champions League on