United expects Malacia back before the turn of the year after knee surgery

Malacia last played for United on May 28. In the last league match of the previous season, the former Feyenoord player played the full ninety minutes against Fulham. In June, Malacia came on as a substitute for the Dutch national team in the lost match against Croatia in the semi-finals of the Nations League Final Four.

Ten Hag couldn't count on Malacia in the preparations for the current season, as he left Feyenoord for an adventure at Old Trafford in the summer of 2022. According to the regional newspaper Manchester Evening News, Malacia had been playing with knee issues for a while and had decided to undergo surgery.

The nine-time international, as per the newspaper, is now back in Manchester after a recovery period in the Netherlands, working towards his comeback. Ten Hag reportedly hopes to have Malacia available again before the turn of the year. Last season, Malacia played in 39 official matches for United. In part due to his absence, United acquired left-back Sergio Reguilón on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. The Spaniard is also currently in the injury list of the Premier League's tenth-placed team.