‘I’m so proud of him’ – Van Persie reserves special praise for one Man Utd player
Robin van Persie says he is “proud” of Tyrell Malacia and reckons his compatriot is “proving” his worth to Man Utd this season.
The Red Devils are having a solid season under Erik ten Hag after finishing sixth last term under interim boss Ralf Rangnick last term, who replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer earlier in the campaign.
Man Utd are currently third in the Premier League table, despite only picking up one point from their last two matches, and former Ajax boss Ten Hag has already guided them to Carabao Cup glory this term.
Ten Hag could also deliver two more trophies before the end of the season with Man Utd through to the Europa League quarter-finals and the FA Cup semi-finals.
Man Utd paid around €17m to bring Malacia to the club over the summer with the left-back used a lot by Ten Hag this season despite competing with Luke Shaw.
The Netherlands international has made 30 appearances in all competitions and compatriot and former Feyenoord team-mate Van Persie has been impressed by his adaptation.
“I do believe, per window, [you have] to get a couple of the right players in, and Tyrell Malacia is one of them,” Van Persie told the club’s official website.
“He wasn’t really well known before he came. I played with him at Feyenoord, so I knew how good he was, and still is, and he is proving that every game.
“When it clicks and when it’s clear what to do, because clearly [there are] both full-backs – Diogo Dalot on the right side, you have Luke Shaw sometimes on the left, or Tyrell – you can see that they know exactly what to do in ball possession, as well when the opponent has the ball.
“He’s doing that so well and I’m so proud of him. He’s from my city. He’s from my club. He’s giving a lot of youngsters hope.
“He’s not only giving youngsters here hope, he’s giving youngsters in Holland hope, like okay, if you play well, there is a possibility that you can go really far, so that you end up playing for a team like Manchester United, and I’m just proud of him.
“He is now playing on the highest level and competing against the best. I hope he keeps developing and improving and stays hungry to keep getting better every day.”
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