Man United captain Bruno Fernandes shows true colours with five-word Tyrell Malacia message

Bruno Fernandes has reacted to Tyrell Malacia's return from injury after over a year out of the game.

The left-back played for Manchester United Under-21s against Huddersfield Town at the John Smith's Stadium on Tuesday night. Malacia started the EFL Trophy clash before being replaced at half-time by Harry Amass during the 4-1 defeat for United.

It was Malacia's first competitive outing since playing 15 minutes for the Netherlands in their Nations League clash with Croatia on June 14, back in 2023. A serious knee injury has kept the 25-year-old out of action until his return to the pitch in west Yorkshire this week.

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And United captain Fernandes has responded on social media to Malacia's long-awaited return. "Happy to see you back," he said on his Instagram story with a picture of the Dutchman in action during Tuesday night's game.

Malacia arrived at Old Trafford in July 2022 from Feyenoord on a four-year deal for £12.9million - with a potential €2million in further add-ons. The full-back made 39 appearances in his first season for the club, becoming an able deputy to England star Luke Shaw.

However, despite making a long-awaited return to action, leading Premier League injury expert Ben Dinnery has recently expressed his belief that Malacia's full return to first-team action is still some way off.

"I think he will be gradually integrated," he said. "I think we're probably looking at around about maybe 17 months. I'm sure it was around July last year when we last saw him.

"We're approaching around 15 or 16 months now. Like I said, he could be in and around that first-team squad and training with the group and getting that experience - but is he going to be pushing consistently for a start in that first team? Highly unlikely, particularly if you get some of those other players back in that United team."