- Tyrell Malacia last started in the league in the last match of the 2022-23 season
- The Dutch defender has been handed a start in a daunting clash at Arsenal
- LISTEN NOW: Manchester City correspondent Jack Gaughan joins It’s All Kicking Off! to explain whether Pep Guardiola will have money to spend in January
Manchester United star Tyrell Malacia has been handed his first Premier League start in 18 months against Arsenal.
Malacia has not featured in the Premier League since the final match of the 2022-23 season.
The Dutch defender had played the full 90 minutes in Man United’s 2-1 win over Fulham at Old Trafford to conclude the campaign.
Malacia returned to first team training in September following a long spell out with a knee problem, which included multiple set-backs during his rehabilitation process.
He returned to action with United’s Under-21s during the international break and stepped up his recovery by starting Man United’s Europa League win over Bodo/Glimt last week.
Malacia has now been handed a Premier League start in a daunting away trip against Arsenal at the Emirates.
Tyrell Malacia has been handed his first Premier League start for 18 months for Man United
Malacia had made his return to Man United’s team in the Europa League last week
Harry Maguire makes a first start under Ruben Amorim after a substitute appearance against Everton
The 25-year-old is set to play at left wing back for Ruben Amorim’s side, with Diogo Dalot operating on the right.
Amorim has opted for a back three of Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt ahead of goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte start in the centre of Man United’s midfield, with Alejandro Garnacho and Mason Mount supporting Rasmus Hojlund in attack.
Despite both scoring twice in Man United’s 4-0 win over Everton at the weekend, Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee have dropped to the bench.
Amorim had been handed a blow ahead of the match after Luke Shaw had confirmed he had suffered a small setback.
The England full back had made three substitute appearances as he worked back to full fitness, but is now expected to be absent for the next few weeks with a muscle problem.
Man United are also missing Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo through suspension.
Leny Yoro, Man United’s £52million summer signing from Lille, has made the bench for the first time.
Yoro fractured a metatarsal in a pre-season friendly against the Gunners in Los Angeles in July, but had been training in recent weeks.
