Malacia has not featured once this season (Picture: Getty)
Erik ten Hag says Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia is unlikely to play this season after an injury-hit second campaign at Old Trafford.
Malacia joined United from Feyenoord in the summer of 2022, becoming one of ten Hag’s first signings in Manchester.
He briefly displaced Luke Shaw in the starting XI in what was overall a solid first season in the Premier League, making 39 appearances in all competitions.
The Dutchman has not featured once this season, however, undergoing surgery in the summer having suffered setbacks in his bid to return to action this term.
Ten Hag suggested a month ago the left-back was closing in on a return to action but the United boss now says he may up missing the entire 2023-24 campaign.
‘I think it’s going to be difficult for this season to be available,’ ten Hag said.
‘He will fight, he’s back on the pitch, but not in the team and the process had some setbacks and is still going really slowly forward, and the season is going to an end.’
Ten Hag is desperately short of options at the back (Picture: Getty)
Malacia’s absence has been particularly frustrating during a campaign when Shaw has also been sidelined for lengthy periods.
The England international missed two months of action with a muscle injury between September and November and is also expected to miss the rest of the season with a fresh problem.
With Sergio Reguilon’s loan ended in January, it leaves United without a recognised left-back with Victor Lindelof slotting in that role in recent weeks.
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‘We talk about one of my biggest frustrations is there,’ Ten Hag said.
‘You can accept in a position that a player is not available, but when two players are not available over the course of the season that is very frustrating.
‘Because that is also very difficult to catch up as a team, but we dealt with it in the best way, but of course it is a disadvantage.’
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