Tyrell Malacia injury timeline: Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag reveals when Dutch defender will return to first-team action after over 14 months out

The Dutch defender has not played any football since hurting his knee while in UEFA Nations League action for the Netherlands in June 2023. He underwent surgery and was supposed to return last January but suffered a setback in his recovery and missed the entirety of the campaign. He is back in individual training but is some way off making a full return.

Ten Hag told reporters:"He is now in a good place, but he is not here because I only took players who could play games or be available for team training. He is not that far, but he is now in a progress situation. At a relatively short notice, he can again return into team training and then into team performance in games. I think it would be possible in two months."

Malacia's long absence and Luke Shaw's injury struggles meant that United spent much of the last campaign without a left-back. They signed Sergio Reguilon on an emergency loan but ended the agreement in January as they thought Malacia would be returning soon. The Dutch defender will not be back until at least October.

United are close to signing Bayern Munich right-back Noussair Mazraoui although they must agree a deal to move on Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who is edging towards a transfer to West Ham.

United have had a bruising tour of the USA, suffering serious injuries to big-money signing Leny Yoro and striker Rasmus Hojlund against Arsenal. Antony and Marcus Rashford were then forced off against Real Betis. Ten Hag will be crossing his fingers that there are no more injuries when United face Liverpool in Ohio on Saturday.