One of the five members of Manchester United’s ‘bomb squad’ reportedly left team-mates stunned by his reaction to being added to it.
Tyrell Malacia: The Last Man Standing From United’s ‘Bomb Squad’
Manchester United’s ruthless summer clear-out saw five big names banished from first-team plans. Antony, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia were all told they had no future at Old Trafford and forced to train away from the senior squad.
By September, four had gone. Rashford left on loan to Barcelona, Sancho to Aston Villa, Antony joined Real Betis, and Garnacho sealed a permanent switch to Chelsea. Antony and Garnacho were sold outright, while Rashford and Sancho departed with buy options that make returns highly unlikely.
That left one man behind: Tyrell Malacia.
The Dutch full-back, 26, is the only member of the “bomb squad” still at United. Left out of the first-team picture, Malacia has been training with the under-21s for the past fortnight.
His approach has reportedly impressed staff — the Daily Mail claims his “intensity is off the charts,” and that he has set the tone for the reserve group with his work rate. Malacia has even requested to feature in U21 matches to build fitness after a long spell without competitive football. Yet, curiously, United have not granted the request.
That hesitation suggests his long-term future still lies away from Old Trafford.
Complicating matters is the rise of Diego Leon, an 18-year-old Paraguay youth international signed this summer from Cerro Porteno. Leon has been starting at left-back for the U21s and even featured in pre-season with the senior side. Giving Malacia minutes could mean displacing Leon at a crucial stage of his development.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Harry Amass has been loaned to Sheffield Wednesday for first-team experience, leaving Leon and first-choice senior Patrick Dorgu as United’s left-sided options.
For now, Malacia finds himself in limbo — too senior for the youth side, but unwanted by the first team. With the January window looming, United face a decision: reintegrate the Dutchman, or cut ties with the last survivor of the bomb squad.
