TYRELL MALACIA has made his long-awaited comeback from injury after SEVENTEEN months.

The left-back played for Manchester United Under-21s in their Bristol Street Motors match against Huddersfield.

Malacia started alongside United’s young players but played only 45 minutes in the Red Devils’ 3-1 defeat, which eliminated them from the competition.

Malacia, 25, made his first appearance in 17 months.

He returned to training in September and received a hero’s welcome from his teammates after being sidelined for so long.

His last competitive game for the Netherlands was in the Nations League in June 2023, before he underwent surgery for a knee injury a month later.

Complications from the surgery required him to undergo a second procedure, which kept him out of action for even longer.

He has been training for several weeks, and United first released footage of Malacia jogging.

After more than a year out of the game, he was given a player tunnel initiation during which he went through a swarm of teammates and had his head playfully slapped.

Malacia may still require some time to recover, but his return is a positive sign for new manager Ruben Amorim.

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A poster depicting the wounded stars of the major clubs.

The Portuguese began his new role on Monday and was photographed at Carrington with sporting director Dan Ashworth.

And it has not taken him long to make an impact, since he has already fired assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Forgotten Manchester United’s star returns ‘like a new signing’ after 15 months off, earning a slap on the head from teammates.

Three Sporting talents Amorim may swoop after joining Manchester United

RUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players during the January transfer window.

However, the Portuguese side’s management expects Amorim to come calling in the summer, with his cheque book wide open.

Here are three sporting players that United might potentially sign. However, they will not come cheap:

VIKTOR GYOKERES.

Age: 26

Position: Striker.

Cost: £84 million.

Swede has shined since joining Sporting from Coventry last summer, attracting the attention of all Europe’s biggest clubs.

He scored 43 goals in 50 games last season and has 18 so far this season.

Gonzalo Inacio

Age: 23

Position: Defender.

Cost: £50 million.

Amorim gave the ball-playing centre-back his debut, and he has since become an important part of Sporting’s recent title victories.

Can also play left-back if needed, and has 12 caps for Portugal.

Morten Hjulmand.

Age: 25

Position: midfield

Cost: £40 million.

Dane is one of Portugal’s top holding midfielders, and Amorim has named him captain.

He could be Casemiro’s replacement.