'It's a good signing'

The 22-year-old completed his transfer from Feyenoord on Tuesday, to become the first addition of Erik ten Hag’s managerial tenure at the club.

His arrival had been rumoured for a week or so and, on this latest episode of our topical panel show, The Debate, journalist Rob Dawson gives his opinion on the move.

The ESPN writer sees Malacia as a signing which makes sense, given Ten Hag’s familiarity with him during their shared time in the Eredivisie.

“He’s obviously someone the manager knows well and he fancied bringing him to Ajax at one point,” said Dawson.

“He’ll know him from the Dutch league and he looks like an attacking full-back. It’s probably an area of the pitch where in terms of assists and chances created, United could have improved on last season.

“It’s a signing and United need new faces, fresh blood and someone who will come in and adopt the manager’s ideas and he will do that.”

Former Reds defender David May agrees and believes Malacia’s decision to rebuff a move to Lyon showcases his hunger to play for the Reds.

He also sees Tyrell as providing competition to the left-backs already at the club and hopes they can all push each other this season.

“I think looking at that, because he’s already agreed to sign for Lyon, he’s looked at the bigger picture and thought ‘wow it’s Man United. I want to take that opportunity,’”said May.

“They’re the type of players that want to come to the club. He’s probably got a great deal at Lyon but he’s thought ‘OK I want to go there’.

“You’ve got to put pressure on Luke Shaw and Alex Telles.

“You’ve just touched on it there: they are positions that, when you look throughout the Premier League, full-backs are absolutely imperative now in creating chances and getting forward.

“It’s a good signing, it really is.”