Manchester United

Manchester United: Dutch journalist reveals fascinating insight into left-back target

|
Image for Manchester United: Dutch journalist reveals fascinating insight into left-back target

Dutch football expert Marcel van der Kraan has offered a fascinating insight into Manchester United target Tyrell Malacia on the Transfer Talk podcast.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano revealed on Tuesday that United had swooped in to ‘hijack’ Lyon’s proposed move for the Feyenoord left-back who had reached a verbal agreement with the French club.

Now after discussions with his current employers the Daily Mail said that the Red Devils are confident of striking a deal worth an initial £12.9m and Romano has reinforced those claims.

The 22-year-old has already been capped five times by the Netherlands and has played 136 times for his Rotterdam-based club at senior level.

He has appeared 98 times in the Eredivisie and van der Kraan has now revealed that United manager Erik ten Hag is a huge admirer and wanted to sign the 5 ft 5 defender for Ajax but his allegiances wouldn’t allow it.

Do United need a new left-back?

Yes

Yes

No

No

(53:40)”He thought he was the best left-back in the country. The problem was it was like a Celtic/Rangers transfer. In Holland, you don’t easily make a move from Feyenoord to Ajax. 

“He grew up in an area which we call Rotterdam south. A lot of kids were less privileged and he was at home there.

“He was always on the streets there and he played against a lot of guys who were bigger than him but he was so tough, he was so skillful.

“Even after two hours of training at the academy with Feyenoord, he would go back on the streets and that street mentality you can see it when he’s on the pitch.

“When he played against Antony, the star player of Ajax there was only one man on top of everything and that was Malacia.”

TIF Thoughts on Malacia and United…

Malacia certainly seems to have overcome plenty of hurdles and his tenacity is perhaps what is needed at Old Trafford. 

The Manchester Evening News have revealed that Luke Shaw will remain the club’s first-choice left-back with Malacia as his rival although that seemingly opens the door for Alex Telles and Brandon Williams to depart. 

Nonetheless, the Dutchman will definitely bring healthy competition at such an affordable price 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) demonstrating his all-round ability. 

Share this article