Tyrell Malacia is not expected to play for Manchester United until next season as the Dutch left-back struggles with a knee meniscus injury.
Erik ten Hag has been left short-staffed in that position with both Malacia and first-choice Luke Shaw on the sidelines for large chunks of the campaign.
Malacia, 24, hasn’t played a single minute this season with the £13million defender’s last action coming for the Netherlands against Croatia in the UEFA Nations League semi-final last June.
The Athletic report that Malacia went against the advice of United when it was decided last summer to undergo surgery on his knee after discomfort in pre-season training.
United proposed a surgeon in London but Malacia wanted the operation carried out by his own choice of surgeon in the Netherlands, they say.
Tyrell Malacia hasn’t played for Manchester United this season as the left-back struggles with his rehabilitation from knee meniscus surgery
The Dutch defender, in his second season at Old Trafford, has been keeping a low profile
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United accepted his request and the operation was conducted away from the club’s oversight.
In the Autumn, however, as Malacia slowly worked back to fitness, scans revealed small fragments of cartilage remained around the meniscus.
Malacia was given the option of undergoing a second operation to remove the fragments, or to continue with his rehabilitation programme.
The decision was made to go under the knife of the same surgeon again in November, but this time with representatives from United overseeing it.
However, this meant Malacia had to start his rehab from scratch, with United announcing in December he’d suffered a ‘setback’ but would ‘return to action early next year.’
Ten Hag has said publicly stated his understanding was that Malacia would be fit to return in January, hence the decision to cut short Sergio Reguilon’s loan spell.
But Malacia still hasn’t returned, leaving United having to field emergency left-backs with Shaw still out.
Malacia on the ball against Barcelona’s Gavi in the Europa League play-off last season
Luke Shaw’s injury at the same time as Malacia’s has meant United are short at left-back
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, usually a right-back, has played on that side, as has Diogo Dalot.
The Athletic say United have asked questions of Malacia’s visit to the Netherlands for the initial operation last summer and whether his rehabilitation away from their supervision was carried out properly.
Malacia apparently failed to contact the club and provide regular updates on his progress. The player’s representatives accept this but insist he didn’t do any rehab work as he was on crutches.
Adding to the sense of mystery is the fact Malacia hasn’t posted on his social media accounts since last summer.
He has, however, modelled clothing for the ForevaDifferent label, owned by a childhood friend.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (right) has been forced to fill in at left-back in a some matches recently
Ten Hag could do with a reliable left-back as he battles to save his job at Old Trafford.
The coach is under pressure with United struggling to qualify for next season’s Champions League, while the FA Cup remains their only hope of silverware this season.
United travel to Bournemouth on Saturday teatime as they try and close the 11-point gap to Tottenham Hotspur in fourth and Aston Villa in fifth.
