Tyrell Malacia mystery explained as Manchester United star's absence raises further questions

Tyrell Malacia is continuing his recovery from a knee injury but there is no timeframe on his return to training with Manchester United.

Left-back Malacia was absent from the collection of training ground images shared by Manchester United on Monday. Hehas not played for United for over a year, last featuring on the final day of the 2022/23 Premier League season due to a knee injury that required two rounds of surgery.

The 24-year-old was rarely seen last season but surfaced to attend the FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City at Wembley in May.

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Malacia and Jadon Sancho were the only senior players not accounted for when the United first team squad reported for the first day of pre-season on Monday. Malacia's absence raises questions as to whether he will be fit to feature for United during their pre-season schedule.

United's first friendly is against Rosenburg in Trondheim on Monday before they travel to Edinburgh to take on Rangers. United then fly to the United States for their three-game tour to face Arsenal, Real Betis and Liverpool and take on City in the Community Shield on August 10.

Malacia became United manager Erik ten Hag's first signing in July 2022 when he arrived from Feyenoord for £14.7million. The Netherlands international played 39 times in the 2022-23 season and was included in all 62 matchday squads. He picked up a new injury during the campaign, however, which was managed with pain injections.

However, he was forced to undergo surgery to try and correct the problem. United manager Erik ten Hag, ahead of last season's Premier League opener