Tyrell Malacia starts for Manchester United against Bodo/Glimt after a long-term knee injury

Tyrell Malacia will start his first game for Manchester United in 550 days against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League.

The 25-year-old left-back has spent the best part of 18 months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a knee injury.

Malacia returned to United’s matchday squad for the first time in Ruben Amorim’s opening game in charge against Ipswich Town on Sunday.

The Netherlands international played 45 minutes for the under-21s in an EFL Trophy defeat to Huddersfield Town earlier this month.

GO DEEPER

Tyrell Malacia on his injury nightmare and conspiracy theories running rampant: ‘There’s no way I could ever give up’

Malacia’s start against Bodo/Glimt will be his first competitive minutes for United’s first team since the final game of the 2022-23 Premier League season.

United have been without a recognized left-back for most of the time since, with Luke Shaw also spending long spells out through injury.

Amorim’s side are currently 18th in the Europa League after winning just one of their opening four games, beating PAOK at Old Trafford earlier this month.

Earlier this month in an exclusive interview with The athletic, Malacia spoke about his return to fitness and revealed he wants to give back to United fans for their support during his recovery.

He said: “(To show) that anything is possible in life… that even (with) bad things in life, don’t see it as a bad thing. See it as a lesson and grow from it.

“Especially sometimes when I left the club, people outside waiting there were always positive – especially the kids. They give me a lot of energy and always say we want to see you back.

“It just makes me happy and gives me my drive every time. I don’t want to disappoint them.”

(Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)