Manchester United could make a move for Feyenoord full-back Tyrell Malacia under the guidance of incoming manager Erik ten Hag, according to a report.
Ten Hag was recently confirmed as the man who will be guiding Manchester United into a new era next season. He will be leaving Ajax and overseeing a rebuild at Old Trafford, aiming to make the Red Devils a force again.
To do so, he may have to make major changes to his playing squad. There are several areas he could consider strengthening.
One of those is in the full-back berths, where responsibilities are currently shared by Luke Shaw, Alex Telles, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot.
On the left-hand side, there could be a change with the addition of Tyrell Malacia, according to the Daily Mirror. It is claimed that the Feyenoord full-back is on Ten Hag’s wanted list.
In fact, the Dutch tactician wanted to sign Malacia for Ajax last year, but rivals Feyenoord stood in the way of the deal. They may be more likely to buckle to Manchester United.
A valuation of around £20m is suggested for a player under contract in Rotterdam until 2024. Turning 23 in the summer, he is at a good stage of his career for someone to invest in.
Those takers could be Man Utd, who would then get him to compete with Shaw for a place at left-back. It seems that would put the future of Telles in doubt, while Wan-Bissaka faces uncertainties on the other flank too.
Ten Hag will be focusing on the players he wants to work with. In that regard, three-times Netherlands international Malacia is one of them.
Tyrell Malacia scouted by Manchester United
In fact, during the first leg of Feyenoord’s Europa Conference League semi-final against Marseille on Thursday, Man Utd reportedly sent scouts to observe Malacia.
He has spent his entire career so far with Feyenoord, whose academy he joined in 2008. A senior debut materialised in December 2017 and he has made good progress since.
As recounted by the Mirror, he stands out for his “blistering” speed and “tenacious” tackle. In the Eredivisie this season – his busiest one yet – he has contributed four assists and one goal from 30 starts.
The reward may come in the form of a glamorous move to Man Utd. They have identified him as a gettable target – at least more so than he was when Ten Hag wanted him for Ajax.
The new boss is aiming to increase the Dutch contingent in Manchester. Malacia may well benefit from those plans.
READ MORE: Juventus ‘intensify’ plans to hijack Man Utd transfer of thrilling forward Ten Hag knows well
