One person he did discuss it with, though, was the former United striker Robin van Persie. United made an eleventh hour move for Malacia to steal him from under the noses of Lyon and the player admitted he consulted Van Persie, the assistant manager at Feyenoord, about life at Old Trafford before making his decision.
“I spoke with him about United and his time in the Premier League, he had some great memories, some good stories, so that’s always good and positive to hear,” Malacia said.
Malacia believes there will be a huge onus on the full-backs to attack under Ten Hag, as evidenced against Liverpool.
Diogo Dalot appears to be Ten Hag’s preferred choice at right back over Aaron Wan-Bissaka, whom United are open to offers for, although there remains a need for another right back at the club.
“The manager wants to attack with the left back and right back,” he said. “Of course I like to attack, I think that’s one of the reasons why he brought me here so I have to prove to everyone why. I’m happy that I made my debut and we got the win. I already feel like I’m home. They made me feel like I’m home already so I’m happy to be here.
“It’s a big difference [playing for United]. I wanted this all my life, I worked hard for it, and I have to work even harder now.”
Harry Maguire was happily waving to supporters as he prepared to board the team coach after Tuesday’s game against Liverpool at the Rajamangala Stadium when a man started racing towards the United captain shouting “Harry! Harry!”
He ended up being stopped in his tracks before he could get to Maguire by United’s security staff, presumably mistaking him for an over-zealous fan but clearly unaware that the person they had just halted was the game’s principal organizer, Vinij Lertratanachai.
Hopefully Lertratanachai, who had been presented with a ceremonial plate by Ten Hag in advance of the match, got to say goodbye to some of Maguire’s team-mates without the same difficulty.
There was an interesting choice of referee for United’s game against Liverpool with the team-sheet listing one Andrea Marriner as the official in charge. Turned out it was just a typo in the end.
With Maguire not risked because of a minor injury, Axel Tuanzebe also unavailable and Phil Jones in Manchester working on an individual fitness programme, Alex Telles had to be drafted into central defense alongside Eric Bailly for the second half against Liverpool with Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof among the half-time changes.
As a result, United have decided to fly 19-year-old Will Fish out to Melbourne for the second leg of the tour as cover in the position so Telles does not have to play as a makeshift centre-half again. Tuanzebe returned to Manchester on Wednesday from the tour to deal with a small personal issue.
United’s first-choice goalkeeper David De Gea came off against Liverpool with a second-half injury that Ten Hag will hope is nothing too serious.
