Erik ten Hag has confirmed left-back Tyrell Malacia is approaching a return to Manchester United training.

The Dutch defender has been sidelined since the summer of 2023, when a knee injury forced him to undergo surgery and prevented him from playing a single minute last season.

However, he was included in United’s squad for the Europa League and, while Ten Hag is keen for fans to remain patient with Malacia, he confirmed the 25-year-old is nearly ready for competitive action again.

“Of course, we want to motivate him to return, but it’s not so easy when you are so long away,” he said. “Over a season now from an injury to return, but he’s working very hard, he’s progressing really well in this moment.

“He’s making big steps, so we think, at short notice, we can expect him in the team training, and he is a talent, it’s natural.

“I expect also, soon, he can return into games then.”

Malacia’s eventual return to training will come as a huge boost to United, who remain without their only other natural left-back, Luke Shaw.

Diogo Dalot has covered on his opposite side in recent weeks, while new signing Noussair Mazraoui has experience on the left despite being a natural right-back. 17-year-old Harry Amass caught the eye in pre-season and has trained with the senior squad this season.

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