Tyrell Malacia has revealed he vowed to one day return to Manchester United after playing against the club in a youth tournament with Feyenoord.
The left-back is expected to join Erik Ten Hag’s rebuild at Old Trafford after a slow summer for the club on the transfer front, potentially becoming the first of a number of signings this summer.
Reports suggest both Frenkie De Jong and Christian Eriksen could soon join the club as doubts over the future of Cristiano Ronaldo grow.
Standard Sport understands Chelsea have been offered the chance to sign the 37-year-old by agents working on his behalf following Ronaldo’s request to leave Manchester only a year after his return.
For the second time in his career, one of the greatest players in the history of the game has decided Old Trafford is not the best place for him, which is far from a glowing endorsement of how the Glazer family run the club.
Still, at the opposite end of his career, 22-year-old Malacia has spoken about United in glowing terms ahead of his seemingly imminent move.
“As one of the biggest clubs in the world with a fantastic stadium and a wonderful history and of course with many top players who have played there,” he told De Telegraaf.
“I always followed Manchester United because Robin van Persie played there. That’s why I got an extra feeling with that.
“In the youth [team] of Feyenoord we played a youth tournament at United and I said: ‘I will come back here someday’. That has now come true and that is of course wonderful!”
“I have worked hard all my career and this is a reward for that, for me and for all the people who have always supported me and believed in me.
“My parents, my family and close friends, my many years of guidance and mentor Tony Pengel. That’s why I think it’s great that I can share this with them.”
