Injury to Patrick Dorgu increased the need for an option at left-back
Tyrell Malacia was hoping for a move to a club in the Turkish Super Lig on deadline day but was told by Manchester United that he would be staying at Old Trafford for the rest of the season.
The news was reportedly delivered by director of football Jason Wilcox himself to the player. Malacia has played just two minutes for United this season, against Newcastle in December. So why did the club not authorise a transfer?
The primary reason is that United want to leave only as few things as possible to chance. Luke Shaw is the first-choice option at left-back and the club see Malacia as the primary back-up option. Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazaroui are understood to be primarily options on the right rather than the left, even if they have both played there in the past.
While Malacia has only played for two minutes this season, he has also been an unused substitute in 14 games. Given the injury to Patrick Dorgu, who could have been an option at left-back, it only makes sense to retain as many options as possible, especially given that a loan for Malacia will make very little financial sense to the club.
United have not brought in any players this window, primarily due to financial constraints, the recruitment department thinking it best to conserve their finances till the summer when they wish to engage in a major rebuild of their midfield.
The only light area is in defensive midfield, where Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo are the primary options while Manuel Ugarte is the backup. But should he be needed, the club can also call on centre-back Lisandro Martinez to step into midfield.
Malacia is 26 years old and his contract is set to expire in the summer. He will likely be allowed to leave as a free agent once the season ends.
