Forgotten Man Utd star slapped on the head by team-mates as he returns ‘like a new signing’ after 15 MONTHS out

TYRELL MALACIA was given a new player initiation by his Manchester United team-mates as he neared a return from injury.

Malacia, 25, has not played football for 15 MONTHS.

GettyForgotten Man Utd star Tyrell Malacia returned to Man Utd training[/caption]

X / manutdMalacia was given an arrival initiation by team-mates[/caption]

GettyPlayers playfully slapped him on the head as he nears a return to action[/caption]

GettyMalacia has been sidelined through injury for 15 months[/caption]

His last competitive fixture came for the Netherlands in a June 2023 Uefa Nations League game before he went under the knife for a knee injury a month later.

Complications following the surgery meant he was forced to undergo a second procedure that kept him out of action for even longer.

However, the left-back has slowly been edging his way back into contention to play again.

The club released footage of Malacia doing some light jogging two months ago.

Fast forward to today and Malacia has been spotted in training with his Man Utd team-mates.

After more than a year out of action, a video of his comeback saw him given a player tunnel initiation where he ran through a crowd of team-mates and had his head playfully slapped for the ritual.

Fans were delighted to see the defender welcomed back to training.

Taking to social media, one fan said: “So happy for him.”

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A second said: “Happy to see him back.”

Another said: “Amad was randomly waiting to hit him with the ball on his head.”

A fourth added: “Good vibes.”

Speaking on Malacia’s return earlier this month, manager Erik ten Hag said: “Of course, we want to motivate him to return, but it’s not so easy when you are so long away.

“Over a season now from an injury to return, but he’s working very hard, he’s progressing really well in this moment.

“He’s making big steps, so we think, at short notice, we can expect him in the team training, and he is a talent, it’s natural.

“I expect also, soon, he can return into games then.”

Ten Hag also said he would not rush Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund back from injury following the medical room horror show seen at the club last season.

United face Crystal Palace in Saturday’s evening kick-off as they looked to capitalise on the momentum from their 3-0 win at Southampton and 7-0 win over Barnsley in the last seven days.