Erik Ten Hag provides the latest update on Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia after suffering from a knee problem since May 2023

Tyrell Malacia hasn’t played for Manchester United since May 2023. The last time he did so was in June 2023 for the Netherlands.

Erik ten Hag, the boss of Manchester United, thinks that Tyrell Malacia will be able to return “soon” from a knee injury.

Malacia hasn’t played for United since May 2023, and he’s had two sets of knee surgery since then. He was supposed to return in January, but nothing has happened.

The left back, who is 25 years old, was on United’s 25-person Europa League team, and Ten Hag said during the pre-season tour that Malacia might be ready in early October.

“Of course we want him to come back, but it’s hard when you’ve been away for so long,” Ten Hag said. “He’s been hurt for over a season now and is just now getting better, but he’s working very hard and making great progress.”

“He’s making big steps, so we think, at short notice, we are anticipating him in the team training, and he is a skills, it’s natural I expect also, shortly he can return into games then.”

United hasn’t had either of its top left backs for most of the last year. Luke Shaw hasn’t played for the team since February 18 because of hamstring and leg injuries. Diogo Dalot has filled in at right back while new player Noussair Mazraoui learns the ropes.

Last month, Ten Hag said this about Malacia: “He is now in a good place, but he is not here because I only took players who could play games or be available for team training.” UCLA was United’s tour base.

“He’s not that far away, but he’s making progress now.” Quite quickly, he can start working with the team again and then play for the team in games.

“I think it would be possible [for Malacia to return] in two months.”