Tyrell Malacia Is the New Patrice Evra, Says Man United Legend Rio Ferdinand
Tyrell Malacia, the young Dutch full-back, is already turning heads at Manchester United, and none more so than club legend Rio Ferdinand.
Malacia, who joined United from Feyenoord this summer, didn’t take long to make his mark.
After coming off the bench against Brentford and showing flashes of promise, he earned a starting spot against Liverpool and made the most of it.
The 23-year-old was tasked with keeping Mohamed Salah quiet at Old Trafford, no small job by any stretch.
Despite Salah nicking a late goal, Malacia stuck to his task with grit and composure, playing a major role in United’s vital 2-1 win.
Rio Ferdinand was full of praise. Speaking on his Vibe With FIVE podcast, the former United captain drew a bold but fitting comparison:
“Malacia was tremendous, outstanding. He reminds me of Patrice Evra in many ways. Athletic, strong, quick — there aren’t many left-backs in Europe who’ve managed to keep Salah that quiet.”
According to Ferdinand, Malacia didn’t just survive the night; he owned his battles.
Whether it was meeting Salah the second he touched the ball, winning the physical duels, or recovering with pace when needed, Malacia showed the full range of a top-class left-back.
Ferdinand also praised Malacia’s calmness on the ball, a trait crucial for defenders playing under Erik ten Hag’s system.
Though it’s still early days, Ferdinand believes the signs are all positive:
“We’re only a couple of games into his United career, but what he’s shown so far is nothing but positive.”
Malacia slotted in seamlessly alongside Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, and Lisandro Martinez, a reshaped backline that looked far more solid compared to the opening weeks of the season.
His impact has left Luke Shaw facing an uphill battle to regain his spot.
Shaw, once the undisputed first-choice left-back, now finds himself watching from the bench as Malacia rises to the challenge.
“Luke Shaw’s going to have to do something big to get back in this team,” Ferdinand added. “In a side where confidence has been low, Malacia’s come in with belief and energy. That’s not easy at Manchester United.”
Malacia’s early performances hint at the start of something special. If he keeps up this level, Old Trafford may have found its next great left-back, just like Evra once was.
What’s Next for Malacia?
With Manchester United entering a busy run of fixtures across the Premier League and Europa League, Tyrell Malacia will likely get plenty more chances to cement his place.
His energy, aggression, and composure could make him a key player in Erik ten Hag’s rebuild much sooner than anyone expected.
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