Malacia has ‘no regrets’ over Man Utd – despite having to train with kids
Tyrell Malacia says he has no regrets about joining Manchester United, despite spending time training with youth teams after being sidelined from the first-team squad. The Dutch left-back is now trying to rebuild his career at FC Cincinnati, having left United when his contract expired in the summer.
A £13m move from Feyenoord in 2022 brought 39 appearances in Malacia’s first season, but two major knee operations kept him out for about 18 months. After returning in November 2024, he made eight appearances for United and went on loan to PSV; he says he was still not fully fit then. United later separated him from Ruben Amorim’s squad, and Malacia trained with under-21, under-18 or under-17 players to stay in shape.
In short
- Malacia says he would join Manchester United again.
- Two knee operations kept him out for about 18 months.
- He is rebuilding his career with FC Cincinnati.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Joining Manchester United was a major career opportunity, and Malacia’s early appearances suggest the move had real sporting value before serious knee injuries disrupted it. Training with younger teams may have been a practical way to maintain fitness while he recovered and was outside the first-team plans, rather than a reason to regret the decision. His experience could still have helped him grow as a player, even though his time at the club did not unfold as hoped.
The case against
A move to a leading club carries a reasonable expectation of sustained first-team opportunities and support through setbacks, and Malacia’s long injury absence was followed by only a handful of appearances before he was separated from the senior squad. Having to train with youth teams could therefore be seen as a sign that the move ultimately offered too little continuity or respect for his professional standing. On that view, regretting the choice would be understandable, even if he personally says he does not.
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