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18th Jan 2025

Man United star becomes first departure of Reuben Amorim era

Zoe Hodges

He’s ‘reached an agreement’ to leave the club

The first Manchester United star to leave under Ruben Amorim’s era is all but confirmed as the player has reportedly ‘reached an agreement’ to leave the club.

United are currently 12th in the Premier League table having beaten Southampton 3-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday, courtesy of a late 12-minute Amad hat-trick.

Just under three months into his tenure at the club, Amorim has had mixed results with his squad and a number of star players have been linked with a move away including academy graduates Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.

However, the first player to depart looks set to be Tyrell Malacia, who, according to Voetbal International, has ‘reached an agreement’ to leave the club on loan until the end of the season.

Malacia has made just two Premier League appearances so far this season and while his destination remains unclear, journalist Joost Blaauwhof claims ‘sources close to the player’ have confirmed his departure in this window.

Malacia joined United from Feyenoord for a fee of £13m in the summer of 2022.

In his first season, he appeared 39 times and was one of Erik ten Hag’s key players during the 2022/23 campaign.

However, he has struggled for fitness and missed 17 months with a serious knee injury before returning during an Under-21s EFL trophy tie against Huddersfield back in November.

He returned to the senior squad, starting as a left-wing back in their 3-2 win over Bodo/Glimt with Amorim praising the 25-year-old saying he did ‘really well’.

He told club media: “It was huge for him, the confidence of everybody, I think he did really well. It was more than a year without playing and the way he behaved, so brave with the ball, I’m really happy with him.”

Though it is unclear if the club will look to replace him straight away, Caught Offside have previously suggested that the boss wants to bring in Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri.

It is thought Wolves would ask for around £30m to part with the player who is under contract until the end of the 2025/26 season.

Speaking to BBC Sport of his plans this January transfer window Amorim said: “We don’t have that possibility [to make signing] in January if we don’t take some players [out].

“You know the situation better than me. It is not that I am arriving here and know I can spend money changing the team.”

Rashford and Garnacho are both likely to depart before the end of the month which will provide much needed funds.

The homegrown talents will be seen as 100 per cent profit which will also aid in the clubs pursuit of compliance of Profit and Sustainability Rules.

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