Tyrell Malacia has no regrets about his Manchester United years — even though his Old Trafford story ended with him exiled to Ruben Amorim’s “bomb squad” and training with the club’s youth players. The Dutch left-back is now rebuilding his career in Major League Soccer with FC Cincinnati.
Malacia ‘no regrets’ over Man Utd despite bomb squad exile
Malacia’s contract expired in the summer after a United career wrecked by injuries. His debut campaign under fellow countryman Erik ten Hag was his high point — 39 appearances after a £13m move from Feyenoord — but he would feature only 11 more times across the next three seasons after two major knee operations kept him out for a year and a half.
“I wouldn’t regret anything, not one bit,” the 27-year-old told BBC Sport. “Even if I could do it over, I would do the same thing because otherwise I wouldn’t be the man I am now.”
When he finally returned in November 2024, the first team was under Amorim — and last summer United announced Malacia, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony would train separately and could leave. The other four moved on; Malacia stayed, training with the under-21s — and even under-18 and under-17 squads at his request — to stay in shape. “I don’t know where that came from… I never said anything about it, I just kept working and doing my thing even though it was difficult sometimes training in a group of five.”
Malacia restarting in MLS with FC Cincinnati
Malacia is eager to point out he has been fully fit since November 2024. His appearance in FC Cincinnati’s 2-1 win over DC United on 21 October was the first time he had started four successive games since September 2022. “As a player you need to understand if you play for a big club like Manchester United, sometimes you don’t get the time,” he said.
Tyrell Malacia (Credits: BBC Sport)
Also Read: “Ronaldo Let the Team and Let Me Down” — Ten Hag Tears Into Cristiano Over Man United Fallout
Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
