TYRELL MALACIA has made his long awaited return from injury.
The left-back featured for Manchester United Under-21s in their Bristol Street Motors clash with Huddersfield.
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Malacia started alongside United’s youngsters as they battled to win qualification from Group F.
For Malacia, 25, it was his first appearance in 17 months.
He returned to training in September and was given a hero’s welcome by his team-mates after being sidelined for so long.
His last competitive fixture came for the Netherlands in a June 2023 Nations League game before he went under the knife for a knee injury a month later.
Complications following the surgery meant he was forced to undergo a second procedure that kept him out of action for even longer.
He has been training for the past few weeks with United first releasing footage of Malacia jogging.
After more than a year out of action, a video of his comeback saw him given a player tunnel initiation where he ran through a crowd of team-mates and had his head playfully slapped for the ritual.
Malacia could still take a while to get back up to speed but his return is a boost for incoming boss Ruben Amorim.
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The Portuguese started in his new post on Monday and was seen alongside sporting director Dan Ashworth at Carrington.
And it has not taken him long to make an impact as he has already axed assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Three Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man Utd
RUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.
But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.
Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:
VIKTOR GYOKERES
Age: 26
Position: Striker
Cost: £84million
Swede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.
Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.
GONCALO INACIO
Age: 23
Position: Defender
Cost: £50million
Ball-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.
Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.
MORTEN HJULMAND
Age: 25
Position: Midfield
Cost: £40million
Dane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.
He could be the man to replace Casemiro.
