Juventus contemplate switch swoop for Man Utd star praised by Ruben Amorim after setback

Manchester United could be busy in the January transfer window this month but may need to offload players before they can hand Ruben Amorim any funds to reinvest

Juventus are weighing up a shock move for Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia.

The Italian giants view Malacia as an ideal replacement for Danilo, 25, who is expected to leave Juve at the end of this season. Juventus bosses are desperate to strengthen their squad following a sluggish first half of the season.

And Malacia is on their wanted list, with Juve considering taking him on loan for the rest of the season with a view to making the deal permanent. The 25-year-old left-back spent almost 18 months on the sidelines due to complications following a knee operation in 2023.

The Netherlands international returned to the United team in November, and has made five appearances this season. But it remains to be seen if United boss Ruben Amorim would be willing to let Malacia leave, due to his lack of options at left-back or left wing-back.

Malacia, who has been capped nine times by his country, was the Red Devils’ first signing under former manager Erik ten Hag. He arrived in a £14.7m deal from Feyenoord on a four-year contract in July 2022 and was part of the squad that lifted the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United in February 2023.

Malacia started United’s final Premier League game of that season, a 2-1 win over Fulham, but that was his last appearance for more than a year.

He made a long-awaited return to action when he played 45 minutes in the Europa League in a 3-2 victory over Bodo/Glimt in November, earning praise from Amorim for his showing.

In December, he also started a Premier League game for the first time in over 18 months, playing the first half of a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal.