Erik ten Hag reveals forgotten £15m defender hasn't trained ONCE for Man United this season

Erik ten Hag has revealed a forgotten Manchester United defender hasn't trained once this season due to his struggles with a knee meniscus injury.

The Red Devils have been hampered with defensive injuries this term and it resulted in Casemiro deputising at centre back in recent weeks.  

United  have been left short-staffed at left-back with both Malacia and first-choice Luke Shaw both spending large chunks of the season on the sidelines. 

Malacia, 24, hasn't played a single minute this season with the £13million defender's last action coming for the Netherlands against Croatia in the UEFA Nations League semi-final last June.

Ten Hag said speaking to Dutch outlet Voetbal International: 'Tyrell Malacia didn't play a single minute of football this season. In fact, he didn't even spend a single moment out on the training pitch. We signed him as our back-up for Luke Shaw.' 

The Athletic reported last month that Malacia went against the advice of United when it was decided last summer to undergo surgery on his knee after discomfort in pre-season training.

United proposed a surgeon in London but Malacia wanted the operation carried out by his own choice of surgeon in the Netherlands, they say.

The club accepted his request and the operation was conducted away from the club's oversight.

In the Autumn, however, as Malacia slowly worked back to fitness, scans revealed small fragments of cartilage remained around the meniscus.

Malacia was given the option of undergoing a second operation to remove the fragments, or to continue with his rehabilitation programme.

The decision was made to go under the knife of the same surgeon again in November, but this time with representatives from United overseeing it.

However, this meant Malacia had to start his rehab from scratch, with United announcing in December he'd suffered a 'setback' but would 'return to action early next year.'

Ten Hag has said publicly stated his understanding was that Malacia would be fit to return in January, hence the decision to cut short Sergio Reguilon's loan spell.

But Malacia still hasn't returned, leaving United having to field emergency left-backs with Shaw still out.

Meanwhile, Ten Hag has claimed Shaw os 'the best left back in the world' but insisted the Englishman will never be able to play a full season in his career again. 

'Luke Shaw is the best left back in the world. This guy is so good. But he has suffered a horrible injury at the start of his career and because of this he will NEVER be able to play 60 games per season,' Ten Hag said.