Former Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia has said he will address 'wild rumours' about his time at the club after he retires. Malacia left United at the end of last season when his contract expired.
Emotional farewell at Old Trafford
Michael Carrick acknowledged Malacia during his end-of-season speech at Old Trafford, and Malacia was presented with a framed shirt alongside his family on the pitch.
Blocked January move
United prevented Malacia from leaving in the January transfer window. He was ready to fly to Turkey to complete a move, but director of football Jason Wilcox told him he would stay for the remainder of the season. Patrick Dorgu had picked up a hamstring injury, and United believed they would be short at left-back if Malacia left.
The Dutchman was left frustrated, and his summer exit ended a tumultuous four years in Manchester, during which he underwent two knee surgeries and missed 517 days of action.
First interview since departure
Speaking to ESPN in the Netherlands, Malacia said: 'I experienced beautiful things there, and less beautiful ones. I am certainly grateful that I was able to play for such a big club. Now I am focusing on the future. It is a closed chapter in my career. I am happy and curious to see what comes next.'
When asked if his comments left room for 'gossip', he responded: 'You have to look ahead. That is what I am doing now. Why don't I want to respond to all those wild rumours? I don't want to feed the spreaders of them. And it didn't bother me that much... I am healthy and can still play football. So what is hard? I have a younger sister, I am a role model. I have to show her that I need to be strong. That is what I do it all for.'
The report added that Malacia intends to open up about the situation after his playing career.
Free agent future
Speaking about his next move as a free agent, he said: 'I am healthy, blessed, and happy. I have never been this fit. My body does everything I want. I don't want to reveal too much about it. Things are in the works, though. We'll just have to see. I just want to play good football, enjoy the game. I'm a person who relies on my feelings, the feeling has to be right. Then I can fly again. I want to show what I can do.'
Malacia did not rule out a return to the Dutch national team. 'Definitely. The European Championship is coming up, and so is the [2030] World Cup. Those are certainly things I'm looking forward to,' he said.
