A member of Manchester United’s notorious bomb squad has expressed his astonishment at being relegated to train with the club’s youth team.

Upon his arrival from Sporting Lisbon, former Red Devils manager Ruben Amorim wasted no time establishing the rules at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese manager dismissed players he felt were not giving enough effort or didn’t fit into his plans.

High-profile players including Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, and Antony were among those affected from the first team ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Tyrell Malacia, who currently plays in the MLS for FC Cincinnati, was also among those sidelined from the first team after failing to meet Amorim’s expectations.

Following his return from a loan at PSV Eindhoven during the 2024/25 season, Malacia, like others in the bomb squad, was compelled to train with the club’s younger players.

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Malacia shared his ongoing confusion about the demotion, telling The BBC: “I have no idea where that decision originated, whether it was Ruben or someone higher up, but I never voiced my concerns about it.

“I just continued to work and focus on my performance, even though it was challenging to train in such a small group of five.

“Eventually, Marcus, Garnacho, and even Antony left the squad.

“Then, I found myself alone, training with the second team and even the under-18s and below. It’s a rigorous challenge, especially mentally.

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“I could have easily decided not to come into training. But I thought that wouldn’t benefit me.

“It would have just provided them with an excuse to say, ‘This is the reason you are in this situation or training alone’. I kept my focus and continued to put in the hard work.

“I remained fit since returning from my injury, but people were unaware of that.

“They kept questioning why I wasn’t being played.”

Malacia’s tenure at Old Trafford comprised one of the notable signings during Erik ten Hag’s tumultuous time as manager.

However, his time at the Theatre of Dreams was marred by injuries, and he departed the club this summer after his contract expired.

Malacia believes Amorim didn’t afford him a fair chance, stating: “Ruben arrived just as I recovered from my injury.

“He gave me a few games, but I had just come back after a year and a half.

“Imagine being out for a year and a half and trying to adapt, particularly in the premier league and at such a prominent club. It takes time.

“As a player at a prestigious club like Manchester United, you sometimes do not have that time.”

Malacia left Old Trafford with merely 50 appearances to his record, but he asserts: “I wouldn’t change a thing, not even slightly.

“Even if I could relive it, I’d do it the same way, because that’s part of my growth.”

He reflected: “I have no regrets at all. I had an incredible first season.

“The staff and players I met during my time there were fantastic, so I truly enjoyed my experience.”