Man Utd 'eyeing Chelsea hero' after Erik ten Hag turns his back on his first signing

Tyrell Malacia has been absent for 14 months. (Image: Getty)

Manchester United have drawn up a three-player shortlist as they prepare to sign a new left-back to replace Tyrell Malacia this summer, according to reports. Erik ten Hag is said to have lost patience with his first signing as United manager, who has been absent for 14 months after undergoing surgery to address a knee problem twice.

Malacia arrived at Old Trafford from Feyenoord in a £15million deal in July 2022, kicking off a summer of heavy spending at the dawn of Ten Hag's reign.

He made 39 appearances throughout the 2022/23 season, acting as an effective back-up option for Luke Shaw and showing plenty of promise.

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But the 24-year-old's United career was derailed last summer when he suffered a knee injury at the start of pre-season.

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It ruled him out of the tour of the United States before he ultimately missed the entirety of last term as he went under the knife twice.

Shaw was also heavily impacted by injury last season, managing just 14 appearances, piling onto Ten Hag's left-back woes.

Diogo Dalot regularly deputised on the opposite side of the defence than his natural position. Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Sofyan Amrabat and even Antony also did their bit.

The crisis undoubtedly contributed to a woeful campaign, which produced United's worst-ever Premier League finish and a Champions League group-stage exit.

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And Malacia's absence from this summer's pre-season tour squad - while he continues his rehabilitation at Carrington - suggests he's no closer to making a return.

So Ten Hag is reportedly planning to address the left-back position in the coming weeks to avoid a repeat of last season's disaster.

According to the Mirror, United have named Feyenoord's David Hancko and Crystal Palace's Tyrick Mitchell as potential targets.

Hancko would be the latest player with Dutch Eredivisie ties that Ten Hag has brought to the club, while Mitchell has entered the final year of his contract.

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Former Chelsea star Marcos Alonso is also claimed to have been noted as an option after he left Barcelona as a free agent this summer.

United reportedly attempted to sign the Premier League and Champions League winner last year before landing Sergio Reguilon on loan.

A move for the 33-year-old would be a surprise, with the Red Devils focusing on younger players so far in INEOS' first transfer window at the helm.

But with Malacia and Shaw absent from the flight to Los Angeles on Wednesday, Ten Hag simply needs reinforcements by any means necessary.

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Man Utd 'eyeing Chelsea hero' after Erik ten Hag turns his back on his first signing

Man Utd 'eyeing Chelsea hero' after Erik ten Hag turns his back on his first signing

Man Utd 'eyeing Chelsea hero' after Erik ten Hag turns his back on his first signing

Man Utd 'eyeing Chelsea hero' after Erik ten Hag turns his back on his first signing

Man Utd 'eyeing Chelsea hero' after Erik ten Hag turns his back on his first signing