Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord for a fee of around €15 million plus add-ons, and have now revealed his shirt number.
The young left-back has become the club’s first signing under Erik ten Hag as the former Ajax manager looks to rebuild what is a derelict squad after the club have so far confirmed six departures this window.
Many fans will be excited to see Malacia in action for the first time when Manchester United face Liverpool in Bangkok during their first pre-season match on 12 July.
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As with every new signing, one of the most exciting parts is discovering what shirt number the new player will wear.
Manchester United have had a fair few numbers become available in recent weeks with six players so far having left this summer, including the likes of Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard – so Malacia would have had plenty to choose from.
Manchester United have now announced that Malacia will be sporting the No.12 jersey for the coming season.
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This number has most recently been worn by ex-red Chris Smalling , who spent nine seasons in the shirt.
The most famous players to don this number in recent history have been Paul Scholes, who wore the shirt for two season between 1995-97, and Gary Neville who wore the jersey for one season in 1994/95.
Mike Phelan also wore the No.12 on two occasions - during the 1991/92 season and the 1993/94 season.
Upon joining the club, Malacia detailed: “It’s an incredible feeling to have joined Manchester United. This is a new chapter for me, a new league with new team-mates and a tremendous manager [Erik ten Hag] leading us.
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“I know from playing against his teams in the Eredivisie, the qualities that he has and what he demands of his players.
“Whilst I know that I am still young and will continue to develop, I can promise the United fans that I will leave everything on the pitch every time I pull on the red shirt. I’ll always be thankful to Feyenoord for all they have given to me and my family.
“None of this would be possible if it wasn’t for them. Now I’m ready to focus on the future with United, and help my new club achieve success.”
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John Murtough detailed: “Tyrell is an exciting, dynamic young footballer with excellent experience for his age, including five seasons in the Eredivisie, a European final and full international honours for the Netherlands.
“We look forward to seeing him continue to develop under the guidance of Erik ten Hag and his coaching team in the years ahead.
“Everyone at Manchester United welcomes Tyrell to the club.”
The club are set to jet off to Bangkok on Friday as part of their ‘Tour 2022’. The first of six matches will see Manchester United face off against Liverpool in the Thailand capital on 12 July, before heading over to Australia to face off against Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Melbourne Victory.
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The pre-season tour will then round off with two fixtures in two days against two Spanish sides, first against Atletico Madrid in Oslo on 30 July before facing Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford the following day; a fixture where United fans plan on holding an anti-Glazer protest.
Erik ten Hag will then finally make his competitive debut in English football against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League the following weekend to kick off what many fans hope to be a new dawn at the club.
Topics: Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Tyrell Malacia, Football
Dylan Penketh