Manchester United fans were on the same wavelength with their clear-cut verdict on Tyrell Malacia after his performance in the Europa League against FCSB.
The Red Devils have seen a turnaround in results in the Europa League since Ruben Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford from Sporting CP last November.
Manchester United picked up three draws in their first three Europa League matches under Erik ten Hag before the Dutchman was sacked by the Red Devils in 2024.
However, the Red Devils won their subsequent four Europa League fixtures under Ruben Amorim ahead of travelling to Bucharest on Thursday evening.
The Europa League remains United’s best option to secure Champions League football next season amid the Red Devils’ lacklustre Premier League campaign.
United are 12th in the Premier League and Amorim’s men are 12 points adrift from the top four after 23 league matches, with the Red Devils picking up only eight wins.
Malacia struggles for Man Utd
Tyrell Malacia started for Manchester United in their trip to the National Arena to face FCSB for their final Europa League match in the league phase format.
The 25-year-old United left-back made his long-awaited return for the Red Devils this season after missing the entirety of last season due to injury.
Malacia has mainly played second fiddle to Luke Shaw for the left-back role since former United manager Erik ten Hag signed him from Feyenoord in 2022.
The United defender has made eight appearances in the 2024-25 campaign for the Red Devils first team since his return from the sidelines.
Malacia, who underwent two lots of knee surgery for his previous injury, struggled to impress in the wing-back role of Ruben Amorim’s tactical system.
The Netherlands international offered very little down the left flank for attack and reached half-time with a lacklustre performance under his belt.
United played out a 0-0 scoreline in the first half before Amorim pulled off Malacia at half-time and brought on Alejandro Garnacho in his place.
Man Utd fans react to Malacia’s display vs FCSB
United fans on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, are convinced that Malacia’s days are numbed at Old Trafford after his performance against FCSB.
Malacia is under contract with United until 2026 and the Netherlands international has been linked with a move away, with Celtic reportedly interested in the player.
Red Devils supporters are convinced that the former Feyenoord man will struggle to play for United when defender Patrick Dorgu is signed from Serie A outfit Lecce.
“Watching Malacia and getting excited by how much Dorgu will improve that left side,” one fan said.
Someone else commented: “This Malacia performance is screaming, ‘That’s why we signed Dorgu.’”
Another added: “The difference Dorgu will make in this team will be very noticeable, Amorim’s system strives on wing-backs [who] can attack; Malacia is more of a natural left-back and won’t take on players the way Dorgu or other natural wing-backs can. The difference will be big!”
A fourth X user tweeted: “Dorgu starts in this exact team and we look 100 [per cent] more dangerous. Lacking confidence/directness, especially on that left side. Malacia [is] too cautious and a bit off the pace to realise the opportunities are there. He did put in a decent ball, TBF, but need more from them areas.”
Another posted: “Can Dorgu come on at half time? Malacia just ain’t it, is he?”
While a sixth claimed: “I can’t wait until Patrick Dorgu pulls on the United shirt, Malacia is just not good enough…”
Somebody else wrote: “God, I hope Dorgu is a hit because any sort of quality in that position will take us up a level. Malacia is a mere tactical piece here. Standing in a position to cause issues without being able to offer any quality.”
And an eighth argued: “This might [be] Tyrell Malacia’s last game in a Manchester United jersey. He’s just not good enough, can’t [see] him getting playtime with Dorgu coming in.”
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