Ten Hag now wants to bring 22 y/o 'pitbull' to Man Utd; £20m would get it done

Manchester United have once again been name-checked with an interest in Feyenoord defender Tyrell Malacia.

The 22-year-old left-back appears to be on Erik ten Hag’s radar ahead of his first transfer window as United boss. Malacia, known as a ‘pitbull’ for his tackling technique, has made 134 appearances for the Dutch side – 48 of which have come during the 2021/22 season.

Reports at the beginning of the month suggested that the Netherlands international was set to make the move to Old Trafford in a deal worth £20m, and his name and the Red Devils have again come up in conversation.

Sports Witness relayed an update from French outlet But! regarding Malacia on Friday.

They claimed that Lyon and United are both keen on the £20m man’s services, adding that he has drawn interest from ‘Ten Hag’s version’ at Old Trafford.

Should Malacia make the move to Manchester, Ten Hag would have three left-backs on the books ahead of his first season.

As we know, both Luke Shaw and Alex Telles are already on the books at Old Trafford. Shaw is out of contract in 2023 and Telles 2024, so you’d expect that one of the two could well depart if Malacia comes in.

The Englishman has had a number of injury issues this season, while Telles has been criticised for his displays in recent weeks, so it will be interesting to see what Ten Hag decides over the coming months.

In other news: Sky Sports: Ten Hag working on big free transfer after Man Utd meeting; agent now in England. 

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