When Erik ten Hag took over as manager of Manchester United, the club began the offseason by compiling a list of transfer targets for the upcoming season. At the beginning of the summer, very few people would have predicted that a left back would be the club's first signing under his leadership.

However, everyone was caught off guard when United moved to hijack Tyrell Malacia's expected move to French giants Lyon at the end of June. United's move caught everyone off guard. The Ligue 1 club had been in negotiations with Feyenoord for several weeks regarding a potential transfer involving the Netherlands international and appeared to be on the verge of completing the transaction.

However, United were made aware of Malacia's qualities and potential by Ten Hag, who had seen a lot of his fellow countryman while he was playing for Ajax and had plenty of opportunities to do so. After their interest in the defender became public knowledge exactly one week later, he became the first player signed by the club during the summer by putting pen to paper on a contract in M16 that was for four years.

Due to the circumstances surrounding the transfer, it appeared as though it was a last-ditch effort to bring in a player in order to alleviate the pressure that was mounting from the fans who were desperate for new additions. In addition to this, United already had a good number of players competing for the left back position. Luke Shaw, Alex Telles, Brandon Williams, and a younger player named Alvaro Fernandez were all in the running.

There were very few rumors that United were looking to bring in a new left back during the summer, but Ten Hag was determined to seize the opportunity to prevent Malacia from moving to Lyon. Ten Hag was not willing to let this opportunity slip through his fingers. United moved quickly and completed the transaction, despite the fact that it was met with some degree of bewilderment from those involved.

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Earlier, the Reds had expressed interest in bolstering their right back depth, with Jurrien Timber of Ajax being identified as their primary target. Ten Hag had worked closely with the youngster in Amsterdam, overseeing his development, and saw him as an ideal option to help mold his United vision together. Ten Hag had worked with the youngster in Amsterdam.

Timber was rumored to be moving to United long before the transfer window even opened for business, which meant that speculation and debate about his future was a topic that was brought up on a regular basis, day in and day out. Because of this, former Manchester United manager and current Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal was questioned about it during the international break in June. Van Gaal is currently in charge of the Netherlands.

Van Gaal delivered a response that should not have come as too much of a surprise considering he had earlier advised Ten Hag to stay away from United, describing them as a 'commercial club.' Considering this, Van Gaal advised Timber to refrain from joining the Reds, which was something that should not have come as too much of a surprise. He disclosed the information in light of the fact that he believed it might hurt his chances of playing in the World Cup.

In a statement made in June, Van Gaal stated, "I think a player with his qualities can play in the Premier League." [Citation needed] That shouldn't be a problem at all. But if he has to take this step right now, then that brings up a different question.

At the beginning of the transfer window, there were numerous rumors circulating that Jurrien Timber would be moving to Manchester United.

At the beginning of the transfer window, there were numerous rumors circulating that Jurrien Timber would be moving to Manchester United. (Image: Michael Bulder/NESImages/DeFodi Images via Getty Images.)

"I do not believe that it is prudent [to become a member of United]. He can't sit out the game."

In light of the facts that Aaron Wan-future Bissaka's was already in question and that Diogo Dalot had struggled in the recent months, it appeared as though Timber would have been an obvious choice to start at right back for Manchester United if the transfer was successful. The Dutchman, who was awarded Ajax's Talent of the Year for the previous season, would have been in line with Ten Hag's strategies and would have most likely started each and every game if he had been available.

Malacia, on the other hand, joined United at a time when she was expected to take second place in the competition for the left back position. Shaw, despite his struggles during the previous season, was still considered the go-to option on the left side of the Reds' defense. This meant that Malacia was expected to push from behind and keep Shaw on his toes throughout the game.

But after only the first two Premier League matches to start this season, Malacia supplanted Shaw in the starting lineup. Since then, Malacia has started every league game as well as every Europa League match. Shaw has not started any of these matches. He has established himself as a reliable member of the team by turning in a string of impressive performances and cultivating on-field relationships with Lisandro Martinez, who plays to his right, and Jadon Sancho, who plays in front of him.