Man Utd star 'sent to hospital after crash with suspected drink driver'

Manchester United full-back Tyrell Malacia was reportedly sent to hospital after a collision with a suspected drunk driver earlier this month. The Dutchman was a passenger in a Range Rover belonging to his United team-mate, Marcus Rashford, who was following in a different vehicle when the incident unfolded.

Rashford’s Range Rover, which was being driven by one of his friends while Malacia was in the passenger seat, was hit by a black Mercedes C220 AMG sport on July 16.

The female driver of the Mercedes was initially held at the scene by police before being arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and going for a check-up at Macclesfield Hospital, according to The Sun.

Malacia and the driver of Rashford’s Range Rover were also advised to go to hospital before being cleared by doctors. The Dutchman and Rashford were both back in United training the following day.

Rashford flew out to Los Angeles with his United team-mates earlier this week for a pre-season tour of the USA while Malacia, who missed all of last campaign due to injury, remains in the UK working on his fitness.

Earlier this month, Rashford was handed a six-month driving ban after being caught speeding at 104mph on the M60. The 26-year-old claimed he was exceeding the speed limit as he thought he was being chased.

Last September, the United forward wrecked his £700,000 Rolls Royce on a drive back from the club’s Carrington training complex.

Rashford took part in the Red Devils’ pre-season defeat to Norwegian strugglers Rosenborg earlier this month. But a small injury prevented him from turning out in the subsequent 2-0 win over Rangers in Scotland.

The United academy product didn’t get into double figures last season but manager Erik ten Hag, with the help of new coach Ruud van Nistelrooy, is confident that he can get Rashford firing again in 2024/25.

“The reason Ruud is here is clear, he can help the strikers, but he is more than this,” said Ten Hag. “With Rashford he can only prove himself. He scores so many goals already at a relatively young age, he is capable of it. So I am confident, 100 per cent belief, he can do the same as few years ago.”

Ten Hag will also want more from Malacia this campaign after bemoaning his injury troubles back in June. “He hasn’t even been on the training pitch once,” said the 54-year-old. “We had recruited Malacia at the start of last season precisely as a back-up for Luke Shaw, those two options had to bring us a lot.”