Tyrell Malacia is likely to leave Manchester United this month, with the club working to complete the signing of left wing-back Patrick Dorgu from Lecce.

Malacia has struggled for minutes since returning from a 17-month injury lay-off in November. There is interest from clubs in the Premier League and Europe, with Serie A seen as a potential destination.

United will have to sell to buy in January, and while Malacia is unlikely to leave on a permanent basis, the club will look for a loan fee and any deal could include an option to buy at the end of the season. While the defender still wants to make it at United, he is aware the signing of Dorgu is likely to complicate his chances of doing so, with the 20-year-old seen as an ideal fit for Amorim's wing-back system.

READ MORE: 'Then we'll talk' - Man United have already been sent Patrick Dorgu warning amid transfer talks

READ MORE: Manchester United transfer target sends cryptic five-word message as £50m price tag is set

Malacia made his first-team comeback against Bodo Glimt at the end of November. It was his first United appearance in 550 days and his first competitive appearance since playing for the Netherlands in June 2023.

The left-back has undergone two surgeries on a knee injury and endured a difficult time during a prolonged rehabilitation period. Malacia hoped that Luke Shaw's fitness problems would give him a chance to impress Ruben Amorim, but opportunities have been few and far between.

He has made five appearances since returning to the fold at United, but three have ended at half-time. He played 61 minutes against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League and came on for extra-time against Arsenal in the FA Cup earlier this month.

There is an acceptance at United and within the player's camp that the 25-year-old needs a sustained run of first-team football to rebuild his match sharpness and his rhythm, and that hasn't been on offer under Amorim, who has preferred to play Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui out of position on the left.

With Luke Shaw closing in on a return to fitness and Dorgu set to arrive, Malacia's chances of playing in the second half of this season would have reduced further.