From kick-boxer to one of Manchester United’s new signings

One of Manchester United’s new signings this summer has admitted that he was tempted in pursuing a career in another sport that’s not football. Tyrell Malacia revealed in a recent interview with the club’s media that when he was younger, he was passionate about a certain sport before eventually choosing football.

The 23-year-old left-back revealed to MUTV that he chose to start playing football because his dad used to play it too. However, he said that he also liked to do a little bit of kickboxing, but in the end, chose to play football when he was six years old. He started playing at his amateur club where his dad also used to play.

More Man Utd news:

From being benched by Harry Maguire, to being Manchester United’s best defender
The original budget the Glazers had set for Manchester United this summer
 

Just two years later, he joined Feyenoord’s academy after being scouted by the club. He recalls that the Dutch club chose him and three more guys from almost four hundred other kids that went to the trials. This made him really happy and motivated to follow his dream since he was a Feyenoord fan since he was born.

Malacia went through all the ranks of the Rotterdam’s club academy until he finally made his senior debut in a UEFA Champions League match in 2017 when he was only 18 years old. His manager at the time was non-other than Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who was one of the best Dutch left-backs when he was a footballer. He was a great teacher to a younger Tyrell.

A great signing

Tyrell Malacia was close to joining Olympique Lyon this summer, but then Erik ten Hag asked Manchester United’s board to make an economic effort and sign the left-back before it was too late. The Dutch defender has now established himself as the starter in the left-back position ahead of Luke Shaw in the first games of the season.