With the January transfer window entering its final days, Tyrell Malacia’s Manchester United career has reached a crossroads. After being limited to just a two-minute cameo against Newcastle this season and surviving a summer in the ‘bomb squad’, the 26-year-old is looking for a new solution amid speculative links to FC Porto in Portugal.
It remains to be seen if Manchester United will be busy on transfer deadline day.
This time last year, United hadn’t signed any players, but that changed on deadline day when deals were conducted for Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu.
United may wait until the summer before adding to the squad because it remains to be seen who will be the head coach at the end of the season. Michael Carrick accepted the role for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign, but he could make a case for the permanent job if United can secure Champions League qualification.
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Carrick has most of his players fit and available for selection, but a recent injury sustained by Dorgu has come as a blow, especially at a time the Dane has been performing at a high standard.
Only time will tell if Carrick uses his entire squad to rotate players or if he will have his favourites. Ultimately, it’s his job to pick the strongest team each week and ensure that the Red Devils continue winning football matches.
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Tyrell Malacia has a concrete offer from MLS
Malacia has made more appearances for United’s U21 side than the first team this season.
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That shouldn’t come as a surprise, as Malacia was among Ruben Amorim’s infamous ‘bomb squad’ last summer. It also included Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.
Former manager Amorim told each member of the ‘bomb squad’ to train alone, away from United’s Carrington training ground and players – unless for rehabilitation and medical purposes.
Malacia is the only ‘bomb squad’ member to remain at Old Trafford, but his future remains uncertain, even after outlasting Amorim.
He signed from Feyenoord for £13 million in 2022 and has made 48 appearances for United. Just 16 of those came as starts in the Premier League.
With Malacia’s contract set to expire in the summer, the Netherlands international can speak to foreign clubs ahead of a potential free transfer in the summer.
According to Dutch journalist Joost Blaauwhof, Malacia is looking for a solution at United, after attracting interest from Italy, Turkey and the United States.
The report also reacted to claims about Malacia moving to FC Porto, which surfaced from other outlets, stating that the reports are completely ‘nonsense’.
While the offer from an MLS club is concrete, Malacia and his representatives have yet to reach an agreement.
That means Malacia’s future is up in the air ahead of Monday’s deadline.
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What left-back options does Michael Carrick have at Man Utd?
Carrick has opted for Luke Shaw at left back since becoming head coach.
The experienced defender has been one of United’s most consistent players this season, but he is now being asked to play in his familiar role at left-back rather than one of the three centre-backs in Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.
In terms of back-up for Shaw, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui could play on the left, as they’ve shown in the past.
Dorgu’s injury means the Dane is out for the foreseeable future, but Diego Leon is waiting patiently for his United debut.
It’s unlikely that Carrick will need to call upon Malacia, so it would make sense to move him on now if the right offer arrived for all parties concerned.
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