Manchester United have confirmed the arrival of Tyrell Malacia, with the left-back moving to Old Trafford from Feyenoord.
The 22-year-old, who made his senior Netherlands debut in 2021, was part of the Feyenoord team which reached the final of the inaugural Europa Conference League last season. His arrival is expected to be one of many for United's new manager Erik ten Hag, who could go back to the Eredivisie for further recruits as he now moves on to his next target.
Upon joining the club he said: “It’s an incredible feeling to have joined Manchester United. This is a new chapter for me, a new league with new team-mates and a tremendous manager [Erik ten Hag] leading us. I know from playing against his teams in the Eredivisie, the qualities that he has and what he demands of his players.
“Whilst I know that I am still young and will continue to develop, I can promise the United fans that I will leave everything on the pitch every time I pull on the red shirt. I’ll always be thankful to Feyenoord for all they have given to me and my family. None of this would be possible if it wasn’t for them. Now I’m ready to focus on the future with United, and help my new club achieve success.”
United's director of football, John Murtough, added: “Tyrell is an exciting, dynamic young footballer with excellent experience for his age, including five seasons in the Eredivisie, a European final and full international honours for the Netherlands.
"We look forward to seeing him continue to develop under the guidance of Erik ten Hag and his coaching team in the years ahead. Everyone at Manchester United welcomes Tyrell to the club.”
United's players have already begun their preparations for the new season, with former Ajax boss Ten Hag replacing Ralf Rangnick in the dugout. And the deal for Malacia - who was also wanted by French side Olympique Lyonnais - helps them strengthen in a position which caused issues last season.
Malacia will provide competition for Luke Shaw, who established himself as United's starting left-back before an injury-hit 2021-22 season. Alex Telles underwhelmed when asked to fill in, and the Brazilian could end up leaving the club this summer.
United are far from done when it comes to new recruits, though. Malacia's compatriot Frenkie de Jong has been tipped to arrive from Barcelona for around £56m, while members of Ten Hag's title-winning Ajax squad have also been linked. While a fee for winger Antony could yet prove a stumbling block, the Brazil international has been heavily linked - as has Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez.
The Manchester Evening News report that Ten Hag hopes Malacia will be the first of five signings by the end of the month. It is a summer of change for United, with a number of long-serving players leaving the club. Nemanja Matic has joined former Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho at Roma, while Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard have also moved on.
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Ten Hag has had a chance to look at his new charges in training, with a number of fringe players keen to impress and earn another chance. Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek both ended last season out on loan, but have been allowed to show the new boss what they are capable of.
"I know the history of this great club and the passion of the fans, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve," Ten Hag said upon taking the job back in the spring. "It will be difficult to leave Ajax after these incredible years, and I can assure our fans of my complete commitment and focus on bringing this season to a successful conclusion before I move to Manchester United."
The signing of Malacia shows how the Dutchman is keen to add hungry young players to his squad, but he may well follow this by adding experience. As United continue their preparations for the new season, there will surely be more new faces on the way.
