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Manchester United are looking to get player sales going, with Tyrell Malacia among the names expected to depart this summer.
After a horror 23/24 season, which the Dutchman ended up missing altogether due to injury, he saw Erik ten Hag, the manager who brought him to Old Trafford, get sacked.
That brought Ruben Amorim to the Theatre of Dreams, with the Portuguese playing with a vastly different tactical system, involving wingbacks as opposed to traditional full-backs.
Partly due to him being away for so long and the new head coach’s demands, the 25-year-old struggled whenever the Portuguese handed him minutes.
Amorim on Malacia’s struggles
“A player like him is a full-back. He played with the national team outside and inside, but sometimes in this system, sometimes it’s hard for him because he’s not so offensive.
“He can play as one of the three defenders, if we have more possession and more control of the games. It’s a really difficult context for him,” was how Amorim described the defender’s situation.
Ultimately, Amorim was forced to send him out on loan, with the Netherlands international joining PSV Eindhoven after a deal with Benfica failed at the last hurdle.
He struggled back in the Eredivisie, and despite winning the league, the club opted to send him back to Manchester upon the expiry of the loan contract.
The ex-Feyenoord man made 12 appearances in all competitions, but only six came from the start, and he completed 90 minutes on only three occasions.
Slashed asking price
The Red Devils have found it hard to find suitors for the Dutch defender, and as per The Daily Record, they are open to his sale for a mere £3 million.
PSV had a buy option for €10 million or £8.6 million, but such is INEOS’ desperation that they have decided to slash his asking price by more than half.
This will constitute a loss as per PSR, with the 20-time English league champions requiring a sale for at least £3.2 million to break even.
Celtic are reportedly interested, with the Scottish giants among his long-term suitors. They had tried for him last January as well.
Celtic want Tyrell Malacia
“Celtic have been told the bargain price Manchester United would accept for out of favour full back Tyrell Malacia.
“The Scottish Premiership champions has been on the hunt for left-back Malacia in the winter window after failing to get bring Kieran Tierney in early from Arsenal despite having a pre-contract agreement in place.
“And after Greg Taylor’s departure for PAOK it’s a similar story for Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers as he looks for a left-back with towering Dutch defender Justin de Haas reportedly on agenda with Famalicao holding a £3million valuation.
“But Malacia now appears to be available for a similar fee after PSV Eindhoven – who the Dutch international joined over the Hoops – failed to trigger an option to buy in the 25-year-old’s deal.”
Tyrell Malacia has two years left on his current United deal, and INEOS will be hoping for a permanent solution instead of entertaining further loan requests.
Feature image Gareth Copley via Getty Images
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