Manchester United started the new season the same way they ended the previous campaign with the players lacking confidence and unable to even do the basics right.
Something had to give after the Brentford thrashing and Erik ten Hag deserves praise for putting the club back on track as they have now managed to win four on the rebound.
The Dutchman changed his system, moved away from his favorite style of play and also changed personnel and they have paid off as United have now beaten the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal.
Malacia has impressed everyone
One of the most impressive players during that run has been left-back Tyrell Malacia, who was moved to the side in place of the woefully out-of-form Luke Shaw.
He was immense against the Merseyside team, managing to keep Mohamed Salah quiet throughout the match. Not many have achieved that in the recent past.
Jordan Kroon, Malacia’s personal trainer: “Most of the time, he’s the last player in #mufc training camp to leave. Most of the time, at the end of the day, he calls me and films the dressing room, and everyone is already gone. So that’s a good thing.” [@UtdDistrict] pic.twitter.com/c97hCkA9oP
— United Zone (@ManUnitedZone_) September 6, 2022
That particular display caught the attention of former United legend Rio Ferdinand and he said after the match that the Dutch winger’s play reminds him of another Red Devils legend, Patrice Evra.
“The [Malacia] He reminds me of Patrice Evra in many ways. He’s athletic, he looks like a strong kid pound for pound. There aren’t many left-backs in European or world football in the last four or five years who have come out of a match and shut Mohamed Salah down.”
And the 23-year-old has gone from strength to strength ever since, as United kept two clean sheets and conceded a solitary goal against league leaders Arsenal.
Delighted with Evra’s comparisons
Not many had heard of him before his move to United, but his infectious energy, stories of his training regimen and modest outlook have endeared him to the fan base and it appears he has made the full-back job his own. left.
The former Feyenoord defender, who once said he admired Evra when he was young, spoke to United’s official website and was pleased to learn of Ferdinand’s compliment.
“It’s the first time I hear it, because I don’t watch the media. So for me, it’s the first time I’ve heard this, but it’s a great compliment. I am honored to receive this compliment from him, yes.”
United’s next game is against Real Sociedad in the Europa League and such is Malacia’s current importance to Ten Hag’s plans going forward, that there is a chance he will rest before the crucial league game against Crystal Palace on Weekend.
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