One star is definitely set to leave MU

Tyrell Malacia, the left-back previously expected to shine at Manchester United, is confirmed to leave the club in 2026.

Tyrell Malacia, the left-back once considered a promising talent at Manchester United, has been confirmed to exit the club in 2026, ending a turbulent and injury-plagued period at Old Trafford. This information was shared by Fabrizio Romano, the renowned Italian sports journalist, on his personal YouTube channel, stating with “100%” certainty that the Dutch player's future will no longer be linked with Man Utd after his current contract expires.

Malacia joined Man Utd from Feyenoord in the summer of 2022 for a fee of around £12 million, being one of the Dutch players brought in by coach Erik ten Hag to rebuild the squad. However, Malacia's career at Old Trafford never met expectations. The left-back endured a lengthy injury spell, most notably a meniscus problem that sidelined him for 500 days, from July 2023 to December 2024.

In an attempt to regain form, Malacia was loaned to PSV Eindhoven in January this year but only made eight appearances in the Dutch league, insufficient to impress the coaches. Upon returning to Man Utd in the summer, Malacia was categorized among the “bomb squad,” players no longer in coach Ruben Amorim's plans.

While Marcus Rashford, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, and Jadon Sancho all found new clubs leaving Carrington, Malacia remained at the club but without chances to prove himself.

Although recently reintegrated into the squad, the reality is that Malacia’s chances to compete for a position are very limited. Man Utd’s current left-back options include Patrick Dorgu, Diego Leon, Luke Shaw, Noussair Mazraoui, and Diogo Dalot, making Malacia's playing time even more uncertain, especially as the team is no longer competing in European tournaments or the Carabao Cup this season.

From Malacia’s perspective, he might want to strive to regain confidence and form, but the likelihood of re-establishing his place at Man Utd is very low. Therefore, the prospect of the Dutch player leaving the club during the winter transfer window or waiting until his contract ends in the summer is highly probable.

Leaving the club also opens the door for Malacia to find a new team where he can play regularly and revive his once-promising career.

Tyrell Malacia exemplifies the challenges young talents and international players face when joining a major club like Manchester United. Despite initial hopes of becoming a defensive cornerstone, he failed to overcome injuries and fierce competition within the squad, leaving only a faint mark over more than two seasons with the “Red Devils.”

The decision not to renew his contract and part ways with the club is a sensible step for both the player and the club, creating new opportunities for both parties in the future.