A forgotten Manchester United defender is making his first start in 550 days for the club in Ruben Amorim‘s second game in charge this evening.
United take on Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League this evening – Amorim’s first match with the Red Devils in Europe on the back of his first game in charge on Sunday, which was a draw with Ipswich.
The Portuguese made six changes in total to his team that drew in the Premier League, sticking with his 3-4-3 formation.
Tyrell Malacia is the most eye-catching name in the team, however, having not played for United since the final game of the 2022-23 season, where he lasted 90 minutes in a 2-1 win over Fulham at Old Trafford.
He returned to team training in September following a long spell out injured, which included multiple set-backs during his rehabilitation process. He returned to action with United’s Under-21s during the international break and is now back with the first team.
Antony, meanwhile, will debut a new role at right wing back, a role Amad Diallo, another attacker, played at the weekend.
Also introduced to the starting side were Lisandro Martinez, Manuel Ugarte, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund.
Jonny Evans, Diallo, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Diogo Dalot and Marcus Rashford dropped out the side.
Luke Shaw was once again on the bench as he continues his comeback from injury, with Kobbie Mainoo, who has missed the last few weeks, also among the substitutes.
Malacia, meanwhile, told The Athletic of his injury hell: ‘I have a lot of patience but, in this process, I learned that I have more patience than every other person in the world at this moment.’
The Dutchman revealed he had to go to the Netherlands and Barcelona, Spain, to work with specialists in the second half of last season as United struggled to cope with an injury crisis and therefore could not give him additional care.
Former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves said on TNT Sports of his return: ‘It’s great to see Malacia back after a long time out. Mason Mount, big opportunity for him – he was so brilliant in a Chelsea shirt, we want to see the best from him. Hojlund at the top of the pitch. Interesting to see Fernandes play as a central midfielder with Ugarte, who suits this formation perfectly. And Antony, a big game for him. A huge audition for all these players.’
Man United team to play Bodo/Glimt: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez; Antony, Fernandes, Ugarte, Malacia; Mount, Hojlund, Garnacho.
Subs: Bayindir, Heaton, Dalot, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Mainoo, Diallo, Rashford, Zirkzee.
