Erik ten Hag has hinted that Tyrell Malacia could be deployed as a right-back at times for Manchester United this season - pouring further doubt on Aaron Wan-Bissaka's future.
Wan-Bissaka has been a regular at Old Trafford ever since he was snapped up from Crystal Palace in a £50million deal back in 2020, but the 24-year-old has lost his spot in the team following Ten Hag's arrival.
Ten Hag moved swiftly to acquire the services of Malacia following his appointment this summer, with the former Feyenoord left-back becoming the Dutchman's first summer signing. And it hasn't taken Malacia long to dislodge Luke Shaw, who like Wan-Bissaka, has suffered a complete collapse in confidence and form.
Alongside Shaw, Wan-Bissaka has spent the past few matches on the sidelines. And the full-back has fallen so far down the United pecking order that he was brutally overlooked by Ten Hag in last Friday's Europa League defeat against Real Sociedad.
After removing Diogo Dalot at the break, Ten Hag opted to thrust Victor Lindelof into an unfamiliar right-back role instead of calling on Wan-Bissaka's services - even though the Londoner was sat on the bench.
And after losing his spot in the team to Dalot, it now appears as though Malacia, a left-back by trade, could also be an option to feature ahead of Wan-Bissaka at right-back after he looked at home on the opposite flank in the closing stages of Thursday night's 2-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol.
Join the debate! Who do you think should be starting at right-back for Man Utd? Let us know here.
Speaking about Malacia's role after the match, Ten Hag told The Athletic: “Sancho in preparing the goal with Bruno he was in the centre-forward position. We did some experiments this night, bringing Tyrell on the right and Luke on the left, that’s two good moves, we can be very able and we need that in the season.”
Malacia stood out once again for Manchester United as they rebounded from last week's loss against Sociedad. First-half goals from Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo were enough to dispatch the Moldovan champions.
The Dutchman has made a big impression at Old Trafford, while Dalot has also impressed on the opposite flank after usurping Wan-Bisaaka in the opening weeks of the season.
Wan-Bissaka, who has tasted just four minutes of league action so far this term, was linked with a cut-price move away from United in the summer transfer window as Ten Hag was reportedly keen on acquiring a new right back.
Crystal Palace were hopeful of striking a £10m deal to bring the defender back to Selhurst Park, but a switch failed to materialise.
And although Ten Hag was open to sanctioning Wan-Bissaka's departure, he was persuaded by Manchester United transfer chief John Murtough to persevere with the former Palace man.
