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Manchester United have confirmed that Tyrell Malacia is set to return to action early next year after suffering a setback in his injury rehabilitation. The Netherlands defender has undergone two surgeries to fix a knee injury that has kept him sidelined since the start of pre-season.
Malacia made 39 appearances for United last season after becoming Erik ten Hag's first signing at Old Trafford, joining in a £14million deal from Feyenoord.
He was set to feature on the club's pre-season tour but didn't travel after picking up an ill-timed knee injury, the first of a relentless wave of fitness problems in Ten Hag's squad this term.
The 24-year-old has yet to make an appearance in his second campaign in England, with little updates provided by the club.
But United have now clarified Malacia's condition, revealing that he had suffered a frustrating setback, which required a second surgery and extended his spell on the injury table.
A club statement read: "Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia is on course to return to action early next year as he recovers from a knee injury.
"The Dutch left-back has not played so far this season following an operation over the summer.
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"Unfortunately, he suffered a setback during his rehabilitation, which required further surgery.
"This has been successfully completed, and Malacia is now back at Carrington and working hard to be fit early in the new year."
In the meantime, Ten Hag has been boosted by Luke Shaw's return in last Sunday's 3-0 Premier League win at Everton after a three-month absence.
The 28-year-old also started in Wednesday's 3-3 draw at Galatasaray in the Champions League and joins Sergio Reguilon and Diogo Dalot as Ten Hag's left-back options.
Shaw and Malacia's early-season injuries prompted United to sign Reguilon on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur on transfer deadline day.
The Red Devils included a clause in Reguilon's contract that would allow them to terminate his loan in January, likely providing Shaw and Malacia were back in action.
However, the latter's delayed return could see Ten Hag opt against sending Reguilon back to north London this winter, especially with his seemingly never-ending injury blows.
The Dutchman didn't have a single left-back available at one stage this term when Reguilon had also suffered a problem. But he now has two strong options at his disposal.
How big a role Malacia will play upon his return remains to be seen, given United could be out of European competition by that stage.
