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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Victor

Man Utd star Tyrell Malacia handed new position as Louis van Gaal drops World Cup hint

Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has explained his decision to move Red Devils defender Tyrell Malacia to centre-back against Belgium.

Malacia, a summer signing for United from Feyenoord, has been impressing on the left of the back four at Old Trafford. But he was moved into the less familiar central role for the Netherlands, who will play under Van Gaal at the World Cup in Qatar before Ronald Koeman takes over for a second stint.

Former Stoke City centre-back Bruno Martins Indi, who played in 2014 when the Dutch team reached the World Cup semi-finals under Van Gaal, had been in line to feature in the latest round of UEFA Nations League games. However, with the 30-year-old withdrawing through injury, the manager called Malacia into action rather than calling up a direct replacement.

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