Tyrell Malacia is one of several signings to impress so far this season, with the young defender almost immediately claiming a starting place in the side under Erik ten Hag.
Malacia was the first signing under United’s new manager and he has embodied United’s start to the season with his tenacity and determination – two qualities severely lacking earlier.
The 23-year-old started the season on the bench, with Luke Shaw starting games against Brighton and Brentford. United lost both games and subsequently, Malacia was one of several players to be introduced to the side in the next game against Liverpool.
Speaking ahead of the Netherlands’ games against Poland and Belgium, Malacia insisted that the competition for places did not stress him.
“I wasn’t stressed then. I know what my qualities are,” Malacia told Rijnmond, via Sport Witness. “I knew that, in the end, I would be a good competitor for that position. If I got that one chance, I would have to grab it. It didn’t work out (in the first two games), so then the manager made the choice to let me start against Liverpool. Then you have to turn up.
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“I think the foundation for us as a team has now been laid. From the start, I was able to find my way very quickly. The feeling was just good and I was well received. That was the most important thing for me.”
Malacia will now be hoping to keep Shaw out of the side for the foreseeable future but that will be quite the task, with both players still vying for a place in their respective nations’ World Cup sides.
SN’s verdict…
It’s going to take an effort from any player in the United side to dislodge Malacia at this point but as we all know, football changes rapidly and whatever the situation is today may not remain so for long.
Breaking into Louis van Gaal’s first-choice line-up for the Netherlands will be Malacia’s next objective and at this form, you would have to say that should fancy his chances.
