Tyrell Malacia has suffered a major setback. The left-back had reached an agreement with Benfica for a temporary transfer, but at the last moment, Manchester United pulled the plug on the deal.
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Tyrell Malacia’s hopes of a fresh start this season have been dealt a crushing blow after his proposed loan move to Benfica was unexpectedly called off at the last minute.
The Dutch full-back, who has been sidelined for months due to injury, had been eager to secure regular playing time away from Manchester United, and a switch to the Portuguese giants seemed like the perfect opportunity. However, in a dramatic turn of events, United pulled the plug on the deal while Malacia was already preparing to travel to Lisbon.
For weeks, it had been increasingly evident that Malacia would be leaving Old Trafford on loan. The 24-year-old had received word from United’s management that he was free to seek a temporary move elsewhere in search of game time, as he was not expected to feature prominently in Erik ten Hag’s plans for the remainder of the season. After lengthy discussions and negotiations, Benfica emerged as the most likely destination, with the Lisbon-based club keen to strengthen their left-back options.
On Saturday morning, everything seemed to be in place. Both clubs had reached a full agreement, and Malacia himself had given the green light to the move, delighted by the prospect of playing in Portugal’s top division and competing in European competitions. Reports suggested he had already started making arrangements for the transfer, with the expectation that he would be in Lisbon by the weekend to complete his medical and finalize the paperwork. However, as he was en route, Manchester United made a sudden U-turn, canceling the deal and demanding his immediate return to England.
The reasoning behind United’s decision remains unclear. Some sources indicate that the club has concerns over its squad depth, particularly with injuries affecting key defensive players. Others suggest that Ten Hag may have changed his mind about allowing Malacia to leave, perhaps due to uncertainty over reinforcements arriving before the transfer window closes. Regardless of the rationale, the outcome is the same Malacia must now return to Manchester, where his immediate future remains in limbo.
This abrupt decision is particularly frustrating for Malacia, who has endured a tough spell at United since arriving from Feyenoord in 2022. While he initially showed promise as a dynamic and aggressive left-back, injuries have significantly hindered his development. He has not featured at all this season due to persistent knee problems, and with competition from Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot, his chances of reclaiming a starting spot at Old Trafford appear slim. A move to Benfica was seen as an ideal way to regain fitness and form, but that opportunity has now vanished.
To make matters worse, this is not the first time in recent weeks that Malacia has seen a transfer collapse at the final stage. Just two weeks ago, he was on the verge of joining a Serie A club on loan, only for that deal to also fall apart at the last moment. Such repeated setbacks have left him in an increasingly difficult position, as his options continue to dwindle with the January transfer window nearing its deadline.
There is still interest in Malacia from other clubs, but time is running out. With just days left in the window, securing a new destination will require swift negotiations and, crucially, a firm decision from United regarding whether they are willing to let him leave. If no move materializes, the Dutch defender will be forced to stay at Old Trafford, where his chances of regular playing time remain uncertain.
For now, Malacia faces the disappointment of seeing yet another promising opportunity slip away. Having spent so much time recovering from injury, his main priority is getting back on the pitch and proving his worth at the highest level. Whether that will happen at United or elsewhere remains to be seen, but one thing is certain this transfer saga has been nothing short of a nightmare for the young full-back.
Updated: 10:31, 1 Feb 2025
