Journalist Rob Blanchette believes that Tyrell Malacia has what it takes to ‘emulate’ what Patrice Evra achieved at Manchester United.
The diminutive Dutch defender was announced as United’s first signing of the summer earlier this week as he joined from Feyenoord in a £14.7m deal.
The 22-year-old will arrive at Old Trafford off the back of an impressive campaign in the Netherlands, having been the only player in Europe’s top seven leagues to average 1.5 shots, 1.5 dribbles and 2.5 tackles per game (WhoScored).
That is perhaps what has forced Blanchette into making such a bold prediction, as Malacia potentially replicating what Evra achieved in Manchester will be no easy task.
The Frenchman made 379 appearances for the Red Devils and had the left-back position on lock for the majority of his nine seasons at Old Trafford.
He managed 10 goals and 40 assists during his stay on his way to becoming a five-time Premier League winner as well as claiming three League Cups, a Club World Cup and a Champions League.
It was quite the trophy-laden spell for the one-time club captain, and although United aren’t quite at the standard that Evra and his teammates set under Sir Alex Ferguson, Blanchette seems to think that their new left-back can leave his mark.
Taking to Twitter he posted: “Tyrell Malacia has spoken of his admiration of @Evra, I really think he could emulate Patrice at MUFC.”
TIF Thoughts on Malacia and United…
Will Malacia start for United?
Yes
No
Capped five times by the Netherlands, Malacia will first have to wrestle control of the left-back berth at United off England’s leading left-sided defender Luke Shaw, but he should offer stiff competition.
The 5ft 7in Dutchman played 136 times for Feyenoord and ranked second among defenders at the club with a 6.95 SofaScore rating, as the Rotterdam-based outfit made it to the Europa Conference League final last season.
Dutch football expert Marcel van der Kraan revealed (53:40) on the Transfer Talk podcast that Erik ten Hag thought he was the ‘best left-back’ in the Netherlands – but couldn’t sign him due to the rivalry between his boyhood club and Ten Hag’s previous employers, Ajax.
However, now the two compatriots will link up, and perhaps under the new manager’s guidance, Malacia can settle in quickly – and who knows where his career could go from there.