Malacia reveals chats with Dutch legends
Manchester United's new signing Tyrell Malacia has arrived at the club with words of wisdom from two Netherlands icons still ringing in his ears.
One of the sources is also a Reds legend, Robin van Persie, who played with and later coached Malacia at Feyenoord.
The former striker is one of several Dutchmen who have donned the red shirt over the years and had a huge impact at Old Trafford, a group that would also include the likes of Edwin van der Sar, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Jaap Stam.
In his first interview as a United player, Malacia expressed his ambition to join that catalogue of compatriots who have had successful careers in M16.
He said: “I have something to look up to because [other Dutch players] did great over here and I want to be part of that [list of] Dutch people who will be great.”
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Our new signing revealed that van Persie waxed lyrical about his time in Manchester, praising both the city and the club.
“I played with Robin and spoke in the past with him about his experience in Manchester. He said they are the biggest club, and the feeling was good, and he loved it here.”
Van Persie was the captain of Feyenoord when Malacia burst into the first team as a teenager in 2017.
“He knows a lot about football,” said the left-back. “He loves the game. I think he breathes the game, so when you talk with him there is so much passion about football, and I think that [carries] over to the other players.”
Malacia also revealed an interesting conversation he had with Edgar Davids, the former Ajax and Juventus star, who is now a coach with the Dutch national team.
Our new signing has been compared to Oranje legend Davids, due to his tenacity on the pitch.
When asked about this, the 22-year-old said: “I spoke with him [Davids] at the national team, and he said, ‘you’re not on my level yet but if you work with me and play football with me you will get there.’”
Must-see Malacia images
GalleryTake a look at these awesome snaps we captured at Carrington, as Tyrell clinched his United transfer.
Malacia’s move to United reunites him with Tahith Chong, whom he played with at youth level for Feyenoord and the Netherlands.
The defender revealed that he never lost touch with his former team-mate, following Chong’s switch to the Reds in 2016.
“I always had contact with Tahith after he moved to England,” said Malacia. “It was always a good feeling here.”