Erik ten Hag reflects on where things ‘went wrong’ for out-of-favour Utd star, it’s ‘a shame’

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·14 de febrero de 2025

Erik ten Hag reflects on where things ‘went wrong’ for out-of-favour Utd star, it’s ‘a shame’

Erik ten Hag has spoken out for one of the first times since being relieved of his duties as Manchester United manager last October.

The Dutchman is yet to make his return to the dugout despite being linked with numerous clubs across Europe – including Bundesliga strugglers Borussia Dortmund.

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Now, having kept an eye on his former side’s transfer business over the winter window, he has weighed in on his compatriot Tyrell Malacia’s move to PSV Eindhoven.

Initially signing on a temporary deal until the end of the season, PSV have the option of making Malacia’s transfer permanent upon the culmination of the term after United inserted an £8.3 million buy clause in the terms.

It came after the 25-year-old had struggled to reclaim a starting spot following a turbulent 17 months on the sidelines with a knee injury; he sustained the issue on the final day of the 2022/2023 campaign, and it led to him missing the entirety of 2023/2024 – as well as the beginning of 2024/2025.

Ten Hag reflects on Malacia’s torrid injury struggles

Malacia has been utilised sparingly by Amorim. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Malacia only fully returned to fitness in late November, meaning he played no part in the final matches of Ten Hag’s tumultuous tenure. He has made eight appearances in total but only three as a starter, with Ruben Amorim instead opting to deploy natural right-back Diogo Dalot on the left flank in Luke Shaw’s absence.

Alas, it quickly became evident that the Feyenoord graduate would not be granted a major role from now until the summer, and, as such, the best option for all parties was for him to depart on loan to seal some much-needed game time.

Ten Hag, who made Malacia his first-ever United signing back in 2022, has rued the sorry situation for his former player while also wishing him the best in his new endeavours.

“It’s a shame for him and also for United that things went wrong afterwards and that two operations were needed instead of one,” the ex-manager said when speaking to Voetbal International.

“Hopefully for him, all the misery is over, and he can focus again on getting completely fit and playing matches.”

“It is especially important that Tyrell now continues to make the right choices,” Ten Hag continued. “In the attacking game that Peter Bosz wants to play, he must be able to handle his qualities well. Tyrell is a back that is good in the structure if he can play inverted When he comes on the inside. He is good at the ball and can manage well in the small space.

“These are all things he needs in PSV football. A bit like [Sergino] Dest also plays. Standing up and then going over it on the outside, he can, but he misses a bit of the real power, the content and a good last pass for it.”