Tyrell Malacia: Everything You Need To Know About Man U’s £15m Transfer Target

The Dutch revolution of Erik ten Hag is already in full swing at Manchester United as the former Ajax manager is set to sign Tyrell Malacia, a youngster he will have seen frequently in the Eredivisie.

Malacia, who shares an agent with another Man Utd target, Frenkie de Jong, is ready to join the club this summer for a reputed cost of £15 million plus an additional £2 million in potential add-ons. 

West Ham were one of the interested parties when Man Utd snatched the deal away from Lyon, but who will they be getting in return? 

What You Should Know About Malacia 

The 22-year-old Dutch defender, who began playing there for Feyenoord and the Dutch national team, is predominantly a left-back.

Malacia is a left-sided defender who likes to move about the field with his left foot in a dominating position. 

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Malacia’s Club Career So Far?

Malacia, a Rotterdam native, enrolled in the Feyenoord youth program in 2008 when she was nine years old.

He entered into his first professional deal in 2015, and two years later, he made his Champions League debut against Napoli.

On December 6, 2017, he faced the Serie A team, and after playing the entire 90 minutes, he was given the opportunity to make his Eredivisie debut seven days later against Heerenveen.

He has played 136 times for Feyenoord, scoring four goals. Malacia and Feyenoord won the Johann Cruyff Shield in 2018 and the KNVB Cup in 2017–18, respectively.

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He was a member of the Feyenoord squad that advanced to the UEFA Conference League’s first championship game before losing to Roma.

Malacia participated in the final for 88 minutes and was recognized for his performances during the club’s journey by being nominated for UEFA’s Team of the Tournament. 

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Malacia’s International Career So Far

From the youth team to the senior squad, Malacia has played for the Netherlands.

Malacia, who was born in the Netherlands to a Curaçaoan father and a Surinamese mother, has played for his nation ever since receiving his first U-16 call-up in 2014.

After playing for the U-17s, 18s, 19s, the 20s, and 21s, he eventually made his senior debut against Montenegro in 2021. He has received five senior caps. 

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How Man Utd Ended Up With Malacia

Malacia’s transfer to Manchester United was far from a done deal, as the team appeared to jump in at the last minute.

Before Ten Hag’s side intervened with a last-minute bid to persuade Malacia to Old Trafford, Malacia appeared destined for Lyon.

The left-back reportedly had plenty of suitors, including West Ham, who reportedly wanted to sabotage the deal.

The agreement shows the influence Ten Hag has had thus far in recruiting since Malacia was apparently high on Ten Hag’s list of players to sign even when he was the manager of Ajax.