Tyrell Malacia returned for Man Utd’s U21s this week after 535 days out injured (Image: Getty)
Manchester United star Tyrell Malacia has denied jokey conspiracy theories which included him ‘running away’ with the Princess of Wales. The Red Devils left-back had not played for 535 days before featuring in an EFL Trophy fixture for the club’s under-21 side.
Malacia maintained an overtly low-key public profile while he completed his rehabilitation. There was little social media activity and he was rarely seen out in public.
It prompted wild rumours about his whereabouts online. One theory shared earlier this year suggested he had ‘run away’ with Kate Middleton – herself the subject of speculation while she stepped away from public life to undergo cancer treatment.
No, nothing was true,” Malacia told The Athletic. “No, no. I’ve just been doing my rehab. Especially when I was in Holland, I was close to my family — so just training, family, sleeping… training, family, sleeping. The only thing I’ve done.”
Jokingly asked to confirm that he had not run off with the princess, he responded: “No!”
Malacia started for United’s U21s in an EFL Trophy group match against Huddersfield’s first-team. It was his first outing in 18 months, having played his last game on the final day of the 2022-23 season.
The 25-year-old made 39 appearances for the Red Devils that season having been one of Erik ten Hag’s first signings at Old Trafford. But he is yet to add to that figure in a senior United shirt and says he dreams every day of one day stepping out at the Theatre of Dreams.
Malacia said: “Every day since the injury. What does [the dream] look like? Just being there… enjoying the pitch, the ball, the fans, my team-mates, everything. Pulling my boots on, pulling the shirt on of Man United and being out there.”
Tyrell Malacia never played under sacked Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag after May 2023 (Image: Getty)
The former Feyenoord star initially underwent surgery to repair his left meniscus – the cartilage that protects the knee joint – in the summer of 2023 but he soon suffered a setback. It was then announced that he would return in the early part of 2024.
That did not happen, though, with some suspicions that United’s medical department had been stretched by the huge volume of injuries suffered by key players last season. The Athletic claims that staff were not always able to provide Malacia with the level of attention he needed to return as soon as initially hoped.
It meant that Malacia never played under Ten Hag again. He will be keen to impress new boss Ruben Amorim over the coming months.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1976336/man-utd-tyrell-malacia-kate-middleton