Ruud van Nistelrooy proven right as forgotten Man Utd star plays for first time in 17 months

Tyrell Malacia has made his first appearance for 17 months in a boost to new Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim.

The Dutch full-back has not played for United since the final match of the 2022/23 Premier League season – a 2-1 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford. He did play for the Netherlands in a Nations League game a month later but has since endured a nightmare time with injuries.

A month after his appearance for the Netherlands, Malacia underwent surgery on a knee injury. But complications following the operation meant he was forced to undergo a second procedure that kept him out of action for an extended period.

He returned to training in September and was given a hero's welcome by his team-mates. Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy revealed last week that the Dutchman was finally closing in on a return.

He said: "Tyrell is the furthest [along the road to recovery] in the moment – he's [been] part of team training for a couple of weeks now, full in team training, no restrictions. So it's good for him to plan game minutes, maybe in the Under-21s. We have to see."

Van Nistelrooy's prediction has now proven correct, with Malacia starting for United's Under 21s in their Bristol Street Motors Trophy trip to Huddersfield. The 25-year-old featured alongside United's youngsters as they battled to win qualification from Group F.

He played the entirety of the first-half of the 4-1 defeat before being subbed off. Huddersfield went ahead when Ben Wiles fired in before Victor Musa equalised three minutes before half-time.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Ruben Amorim have kept Ruud van Nistelrooy on his staff? Comment below.

Image: George Wood/Getty Images) George Wood/Getty Images)

Wiles then turned provider to get the Terriers back in front with 23 minutes to play. The 25-year-old sent in a cross which was met at the near post by Rhys Healey to hand the hosts a lead they would not relinquish.

Huddersfield increased their lead on the stroke of the 90th minute, with Wiles again playing a key role. He exchanged passes with David Kasumu before the latter fired past United keeper Dermot Mee.

In the seventh minute of stoppage time, Tom Lees added further gloss to the scoreline. Malacia's return will be a boost for Amorim, who has seen Lisandro Martinez withdraw from the Argentina squad through injury.

Amorim arrived on Monday to start work at his new club, with his first job being to let Van Nistelrooy go. United confirmed the Dutchman's exit in a statement.

"Manchester United can confirm that Ruud van Nistelrooy has left the club. Ruud rejoined in the summer and has taken charge of the team for the past four matches as interim head coach," it read.

"Ruud is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. We are grateful for his contribution and the way in which he has approached his role throughout his time with the club. He will always be very welcome at Old Trafford."

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