Tyrell Malacia became Erik ten Hag’s first signing as Manchester United boss on Tuesday.
The full-back is expected to challenge Luke Shaw for the starting left-back position with his pacey movement and attacking intent. He has cost United just £12.9m and signs a four-year deal.
Team cohesion was a massive problem for United last season and Ten Hag is eager to bring in players with the right kind of attitude. He witnessed this and was impressed by Malacia first-hand while he was playing for Feyenoord in the Eredivisie.
READ MORE: Tyrell Malacia's first words as a Manchester United player after completing transfer
And the defender also offered onlookers an insight into his character in April. Speaking to Ebonyst , the full-back detailed how, away from his employment, he likes to take his mind away from football.
“I desperately need my relaxation,” he said. “I shouldn’t have football in my head all the time. Then I completely lose it.
“Once when I was a youth player, I looked on the internet on a fan forum [and] I saw what was written about boys. Just negativity. Not for me.”
Malacia added how he is not boastful in his profession, stating: “People I’m with say, ‘I keep forgetting that you’re a professional football player’.
“But I don’t see myself as that professional footballer at all. I don’t use it either, I’m too shy for that.”
The 22-year-old Netherlands international likened his character to that of former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, whom he plays alongside for his country. “I see a lot of myself in Georginio,” he said.
“As a person. Calm down, but he knows what he wants. I am very much on my own. A lot in my room.”
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