Erik ten Hag has been speaking about one Manchester United star and provided some important advice for the player.
Manchester United sacked Erik ten Hag in October last year after the Dutchman started his third campaign at Old Trafford poorly.
Ten Hag experienced some difficult moments during his time in charge at the club, particularly in the left-back department.
Over the course of his final two seasons, Ten Hag rarely had a natural left-back option to choose from due to the injury troubles of Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw.
Malacia experienced a torrid time on the treatment table where he was unable to play for around 18 months after a failed knee surgery.
Ten Hag breaks silence on Malacia difficulties
Now, the Dutch defender has returned to action but has been sent on loan to PSV Eindhoven, where he will be guaranteed more game-time.
Malacia made his debut for Peter Bosz’s side against Willem II last week and will be hoping to get up to speed during his time back in the Netherlands.
Speaking to Voetbal International about his former defender, Ten Hag has expressed his feelings about Malacia’s injury troubles while also offering some important advice for his time at PSV.
“It’s a shame for him and also for United that things went wrong afterwards and that two operations were needed instead of one,” Ten Hag said.
“Hopefully for him all the misery is over, and he can focus again on getting completely fit and playing matches.
“It is especially important that Tyrell now continues to make the right choices. In the attacking game that Peter Bosz wants to play, he must be able to handle his qualities well.
“Tyrell is a back that is good in the structure if he can play inverted, When he comes on the inside. He is good at the ball and can manage well in the small space.
“These are all things he needs in PSV football. A bit like Dest also plays. Standing up and then going over it on the outside, he can, but he misses a bit of the real power, the content and a good last pass for it.”
Malacia in awkward middle ground at United
Malacia’s future at Old Trafford under new boss Rúben Amorim is up in the air because, as Ten Hag says, he is more comfortable coming inside.
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The wingbacks in Amorim’s system need to be dynamic attacking options. Even then, the likes of Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui have physical and technical attributes which help them fit the role somewhat.
Whereas Malacia does not suit the role nearly as much, and he is also not suitable to playing in the back three. He is instead in the awkward middle ground which makes a sale more likely.
That, of course, is far in the future for Malacia, who will be fully focused on securing regular game-time after a year-and-a-half of hell on the sidelines.
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