Erik ten Hag calls Tyrell Malacia "the modern left-back"

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has branded Tyrell Malacia "the modern left-back", with the Dutchman tipping the team's new signing to be an important player moving forward.

Malacia became the first signing of the Ten Hag era on July 5, penning a four-year contract with the 20-time English champions.

The 22-year-old came through the youth system at Feyenoord and represented the Dutch outfit on 136 occasions in all competitions before securing a move to Old Trafford in a £13m deal.

Malacia has made the trip to Thailand for the first leg of his new side's pre-season tour, with the club due to play their first friendly of the summer against Liverpool in Bangkok on July 12.

The Netherlands international could make his debut against the Reds, and Ten Hag is looking forward to working with the left-back.

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"I think he's the modern left-back or full-back," Ten Hag told MUTV. "He suits the profile [we were looking for] and most important from every full-back is that he closes the right area.

"He can also take part in the offensive side of our game, and he can do that really well. I think he will really contribute to the team."

Malacia, who will provide competition for Luke Shaw and Alex Telles at left-back, contributed four goals and 10 assists in his 136 appearances for Feyenoord's first team.

The Dutchman also enjoyed a productive 2021-22 season, featuring on 50 occasions for De Stadionclub, contributing one goal and five assists in the process.

At one stage, it appeared that Malacia was on his way to Lyon, but Man United stepped in at the final moment to agree a deal with Feyenoord, who had accepted that they would have to sell him in the current window.

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Ten Hag has selected a 31-man squad for the club's pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, which will see them play games against Liverpool, Melbourne Victory, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.

The 20-time English champions will then return to Europe for friendlies against Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano before opening their new Premier League season against Brighton & Hove Albion on August 7.

The new Red Devils manager has also said that he has been delighted with the application of the players during the early stages of pre-season.

"Of course, I want to bring the energy in my team. But I must say, the players do really well. They are really focused. They bring, for themselves, the energy," Ten Hag told MUTV. "You see they enjoy playing football. They enjoy playing football together and they really work well together."

Cristiano Ronaldo has not made the trip to Thailand, as the Portugal international deals with a family issue, but a number of youngsters, including Alejandro Garnacho, Hannibal Mejbri and Facundo Pellistri, have all travelled with the first-team squad.