Manchester United’s left-back spot is wide open for next season and a prominently linked name in the transfer market is Tyrell Malacia.
The Mirror and De Telegraaf have both reported United’s interest in the left-back, who has been on international duty with the Netherlands.
Last night he took on the role of match winner by making a decisive intervention to earn the Dutch a 2-1 win over Wales with an injury time assist.
The assist capped a confident display from the 22-year-old, who was earning his fourth international cap.
Malacia shows match winning quality
Netherlands had led the game 1-0 before Wales equalised in the final minute. Malacia then helped the Dutch to a 2-1 win, with a run down the left and a sumptuous cross for substitute Wout Weghorst to head into the top corner.
The assist was a real moment of quality, capping a strong display, where he was playing at wing-back in Van Gaal’s 3-4-2-1 system.
The player who started the move by winning the ball back? None other than Frenkie de Jong.
Malacia had played competently, completed 95 per cent of his passes, making three ball recoveries and winning four duels.
In just four international games for Netherlands, he has two assists, an impressive rate he will do well to keep up.
This past week Lyon had a bid for Malacia turned down, Voetball International report. But the outlet claim Feyenoord accept that they will probably have to sell him this summer.
The Mirror suggest Malacia’s price tag could be £20 million, which makes him a low cost gamble for Manchester United, or any club.
His assist last night may bring Lyon back to the negotiating table, and other clubs. He may have triggered United’s attention further too.
United will have been watching for Frenkie de Jong, who came off the bench in the second half and helped the side kick on after a drab first half, starting the move for the winning goal, playing the ball to Malacia for his cross.
It looks like United are going Dutch this summer, and it’s just a question of how many.
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