He's playing catch-up this summer but it's an important season ahead for Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia.
Signed by Erik ten Hag last summer from PSV, the 23-year-old made 39 appearances in all competitions. There were strong and poor performances across the board from the Dutchman, who is now looking to get himself back fit after missing the club's pre-season tour to the United States.
Competition at left-back is fierce, too. Luke Shaw will go into his 10th season as a United player while Alvaro Fernandez was handed plenty of minutes in friendlies. After a bright campaign on loan with Preston North End, the Spaniard is now looking to get game time under Ten Hag.
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Malacia became the first signing of the Ten Hag era though, last July. After his debut season in England the challenge is for him now to kick on and progress. It was around this time last year where Malacia made, arguably, his first major impression wearing Man United colours. After his performance against Liverpool, United great Rio Ferdinand heaped the praise on Ten Hag's summer recruit.
"Malacia was tremendous, outstanding," said Ferdinand. "He reminds me of Patrice Evra in many ways. He’s athletic, he looks like a pound-for-pound strong kid. There aren’t many left-backs in European or world football in the last four or five years who have gone out of a game and kept Mohamed Salah quiet. Luke Shaw’s going to have to do something to get back in this team now."
That display, along with the follow-up comments from Ferdinand, must never be forgotten by Malacia. To be compared to someone of Evra's ilk is a huge compliment, in a day and age where
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