Malacia: It's good to play with the world's best

Malacia has established himself as a defensive starter since moving from Feyenoord in the summer and fans have quickly been won over by his tenacious tackling style and smiley personality.

Ahead of Sunday's game with Arsenal, we sat down with the 23-year-old to dive deeper into his career origins and how his time in the Netherlands helped to mould him as a footballer.

Talk then moved to United, as Tyrell touched upon compliments from legends, playing with Lisandro Martinez and more...

Tyrell, just going back to the start of your journey in football. You grew up in Rotterdam, can you just tell us what that was like and how you first got interested in football really? “My dad used to play football, that’s why I also played football. I also did a little bit of kickboxing and at the end I made a choice to do football. When I was six I think, I started at my amateur club where my dad also played and that’s how it began.”

Was that when you first started getting into football or did you play before that, on the streets? “Yeah, I’ve always played on the streets in Rotterdam, south. I loved to do that, yeah.”

How did that help to shape and mould you as a player, do you think?“Everything, because I always played with older guys so you have to be stronger, faster and use your technique. So yeah, it helped me a lot.”

When did you first join Feyenoord? “I joined Feyenoord, I think when I was about eight. I went there with a friend of mine and we did talent days. They picked me and I think two or three more guys from the 300/400 kids at the end.”