Malacia is "chomping at the bit"

The Dutch defender made a substitute appearance on Boxing Day, helping the Reds shut out Newcastle United, in earning a valuable 1-0 win over the Magpies at Old Trafford.

It was his first senior action for the club since January 2025, when he started in the Europa League tie against FCSB in Romania. He had originally been re-integrated into the matchday squad for the home win over Brighton & Hove Albion in October.

After being named on the bench for the 3-2 triumph against Fulham last time out, it meant he has retained a place in Carrick’s matchday squad for each of his three games in charge. Indeed, the 26-year-old has been among the substitutes for every fixture, in all competitions, since his cameo against Newcastle.

Hence, Malacia’s importance is clear, despite speculation over his future during the winter window. With the deadline now passed, and United submitting our squad to the Premier League, Carrick is keen to crack on and ensure we can met the challenge posed in our remaining 14 games.

"Of course, all the boys have been, honestly, fantastic,” Carrick told MUTV’s Mark Sullivan, during his interview to preview Saturday's home game with Tottenham Hotspur. "They are all desperate to play.

"For Ty to be back, he’s obviously missed a lot of football over recent years, so to be back around the group, he’s chomping at the bit to play.

"It’s really important we’ve got a strong group, as strong as we can, to take us through to the end of the season. So everyone is going to be important in different ways.

"The squad is settled now. We know what we’ve got, which is great. Stability is important for us and we’ll keep moving forward.”

Carrick deeply values a squad's togetherness and loved the way Benjamin Sesko's winner against Fulham was celebrated with the substitutes, last Sunday.

"I mean I can stand here and talk about it all day long but when you see the moment the boys are celebrating with each other and the supporters," he added. "The reaction of the boys warming up, to come on, celebrating with Ben for the winner, as much as anyone else.

"I love to see that. You can't fake that. I can talk about it all day long but to feel it, the boys did that.

"It was definitely a big moment for Ben and big moment for all of us, and the supporters included. It's why we come to watch football, and support Manchester United, for moments like that and we want more of that."