DBasia.news – Having versatile players is a luxury for any coach as they are able to be played in different positions.
One of those players is Manchester United left back, Tyrell Malacia. The 23-year-old player was brought in by Man United from Feyenoord for 15 million euros, plus 2 million in bonuses, and immediately shifted Luke Shaw to the bench.
Malacia plays at left-back and Erik ten Hag has played him in the last few games for Man United. However, after seeing Malacia’s performance with the Dutch national team, there is a new option for Ten Hag.
The Netherlands are coached by former Man United coach, Louis van Gaal, and recently in the 1-0 win over Belgium in the UEFA Nations League, Malacia played as a left center back in Van Gaal’s three-back tactic.
Van Gaal is experimenting but it could be a new role for Malacia, because he is playing well. Van Gaal explained the reason for playing Malacia as a center back and he could be an alternative if another Dutch defender, Bruno Martins Indi, did not recover in time.
“I put Malacia at left centre-back because Martins Indi won’t be in the World Cup squad in time due to injury,” Van Gaal told NOS and ESPN.
“I had to see other players who could play there and I wanted to see what Malacia could do, so (Nathan) Ake was replaced.”
“I put him to the left of centre-back because (Kevin, Belgian midfielder) De Bruyne has played a lot on that side. It’s better to have a pitbull like that than someone like (Daley) Blind trying to finish it tactically.”
“De Bruyne has more acceleration than Blind too, so I put Malacia there, I spoke to him the day before yesterday, that he can play at left centre-back.”
“Defensive work he did very well. But constructive work in development (attack) could be much better,” explained Van Gaal.
Ten Hag already has a lot of options at centre-back but if he wants to use a three-back tactic, Malacia can be an option and Shaw is a left-winger.