When Manchester United appointed Erik Ten Hag, the club promised a spate of new signings to make the club a top force. With Ten Hag’s years of experience in the Eredivisie, it was expected that Manchester United could sign players from the league. His former team, Ajax, have the best young talent in Europe in the form of Jurrien Timber, Lisandro Martinez, and Edson Alvarez. However, United Have opted for one of Ajax’s top rivals to make their first signing. The club have agreed on a €17 million fee for Feyenoord’s left-back Tyrell Malacia.
The Red Devils saw off competition from French side Lyon to sign the youngster. United are now discussing personal terms with the player. Malacia’s signing will relieve the club’s fans, who have been growing impatient over the lack of signings. The mood has gone so tense that United CEO Richard Arnold met a group of fans planning a protest at a club to reassure them.
So, who is United’s new boy?
An all-round defender
Tyrell Malicia is a player who plays with his mind and feet in equal proportions. He has a brilliant vision, and at the same time, he can also be a physical no-nonsense defender. Standing at 1.69 metres, he may not be the tallest person on the field, but his impressive physicality makes him a beast.
In addition, he is also a very smooth passer and can exploit a gap between the opposition; defence. Feyenoord coach Arne Slot prefers a system where the fullbacks are tasked with occupying spaces in midfield. While Malacia is naturally a great defender, playing in such a system has refined his passing too.
The youngster is a crucial part of building up from the back as he aims to occupy the half-spaces between the opposition’s shape.
Nice tactical analysis, showing the worth of Tyrell Malacia. https://t.co/zJoCpqxAux
— KuipTalk (@KuipTalk) May 23, 2021
To add to this, he is blessed with pace. In his team, Malacia is often the progressive passer. He either plays the ball to the left-winger or tries to play the ball into the centre of the field for the creative midfielders.
He struggled in the 2020-21 season under Dick Advocaat, who preferred a more defensive style. But he has had more chances to show his full potential under Slot.
Speaking of top young players, Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez is a coveted man in Europe and these are the clubs where he could go
Tyrell Malacia stats
What makes Malacia unique is his…
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