Many Manchester United players endured terrible luck with injuries during the 2023/24 season.
The worst luck of all beset Tyrell Malacia, who did not play a single game, or make a single matchday squad.
Malacia was supposed to provide cover for injury-prone left-backLuke Shaw, who himself has had his issues this season, and Manchester United have struggled at the position the entire campaign.
Diogo Dalot has frequently shifted flanks to fill the void, doing so successfully during the FA Cup Final, and Tyrell Malacia was there to see it.
Tyrell Malacia in attendance at FA Cup Final
Tyrell Malacia was in attendance at Wembley with the travelling Manchester United players.
The 24-year-old was seen on the pitch post-game with Casemiro, who missed out on making the squad due to a late injury.
Malacia and Casemiro were both wearing training tops as they took in the magnitude of the team’s success, having beaten Manchester City 2-1 in the final.
This is the third time Malacia has been at Wembley for a Manchester United final, and he has not played in any of them.
While this time he was never in contention for the matchday squad due to his injury recovery, in the 2023 Carabao Cup Final and FA Cup Final he was a substitute, although did not make it on in either.
United quiet on Malacia recovery
Manchester United have not provided any recent updates on the former Feyenoord defender’s recovery from injury.
Speaking in early March, Erik ten Hag said Malacia was making progress, but ‘slowly’, and conceded it would be unlikely he would play this season.
He will continue to rehab his injury and aim to recover for pre-season, but he is not a player Manchester United can rely on for 2024/25.
It is very possible a new left-back will be signed, and then Malacia will simply provide additional cover for both full-backs spots, as an added bonus.