MAN UNITED CONFIDENTIAL: Erik ten Hag hints at Tyrell Malacia's return date, injured Rasmus Hojlund recovers in a cryotherapy chamber - and why Leny Yoro's absence isn't all bad

Tyrell Malacia could be back in action for Manchester United in two months, Erik ten Hag has revealed.

The Holland defender was Ten Hag’s first signing as United manager following a £14.7million move from Feyenoord two years ago, and made 39 appearances in his first season at Old Trafford.

However, Malacia didn’t play at all last season due to a double knee surgery, leaving United desperately short at left-back during Luke Shaw’s long absences through injury.

However, the 24-year-old Dutchman has been back in training at Carrington while the majority of the squad have been on tour in the US, and Ten Hag believes he could possibly be playing again by October.

‘He is now in a good place, but he is not here because I only took players who could play games or be available for team training,’ said Ten Hag. ‘He is not that far, but he is now in a progress situation. At a relatively short notice, he can again return into team training and then into team performance in games.’

Asked how long that might be, Ten Hag replied: ‘I think it would be possible in two months.’

Injured Hojlund is chillin’ in LA

No doubt Rasmus Hojlund was looking forward to having some time to chill on Manchester United’s summer tour in California, but a cryotherapy chamber probably wasn’t what the Denmark striker had in mind.

Hojlund has been ruled out for six weeks after pulling a hamstring in United’s friendly against Arsenal at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles last weekend. He wasted no time starting his recovery as he stripped down to shorts and socks to brave the freezing temperatures which can reach as low as minus 140 degrees Celsius.

At least Hojlund was able to see the funny side as he posted a picture of himself in the chamber wearing a mask with the caption: ‘Don’t worry. In Scandinavia we call this summer.’

The injury ruled Hojlund out of the remaining two games of United’s US tour, the Community Shield against Manchester City and, most likely, the first three Premier League games of the season against Fulham, Brighton and Liverpool. However, it’s hoped that he will be return to action in mid-September after the international break.

No Yoro sorrow for Utd

Leny Yoro's broken metatarsal is a bitter blow for Manchester United, coming just two weeks after his £59million move from Lille, but the club are trying to take some positives from his three-month lay-off.

Club staff are hoping it will give the teenage Frenchman time to settle in England and adapt to life at United so Yoro is fully up to speed when he returns to action in November.

It’s understood that Yoro sustained the injury to his left foot in an innocuous tangle with Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. He had treatment on the pitch before limping off in the 33rd minute of what was only his second appearance for United after making his debut against Rangers in Edinburgh.

Top brass eat and greet

United's new leadership team have maintained a profile on this tour and Confidential understands that new chief executive Omar Berrada, club director Sir Dave Brailsford, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox have been visible behind the scenes as well.

The club’s top brass have been dining with the players at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills as they familiarise themselves with the squad and try to foster a sense of togetherness on the first tour since the Ineos investment under Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

United have also tried to encourage more interaction among the players to avoid any cliques by opting for one long table at mealtimes rather than smaller round ones scattered around the dining area.