The Dutch defender, now playing for FC Cincinnati, says he continued working despite being separated from the senior group and having to train with younger players.
Malacia joined Manchester United from Feyenoord in 2022 and made a strong start under Erik ten Hag before a complicated knee injury kept him out for around 18 months. After returning, he spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at PSV Eindhoven, then came back to Manchester hoping to rebuild his career.
Instead, he was among a group of players told to train separately from Amorim’s squad ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. Marcus Rashford, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho were also included.
“I don't know where that came from, I don't know if it was Ruben or higher up or anything, but I never said anything about it, I just kept working and doing my thing even though it was difficult sometimes training in a group of five,” Malacia told BBC Sport.
“At some point Marcus, Garnacho and even Antony left. Then I stayed on my own, training with the second team, even with the under-18s and below. It's tough. It's tough mentally.
“I could have said 'OK, I'm not coming into training'. But I thought 'that's not going to help me'. It's a reason for them to say 'this is the reason you are with them or training on your own'. I just kept my head down and did the work.
“I always stayed fit since I came back from my injury, but people didn't know that. They were like 'why is he not playing?'”
Malacia later returned to United’s matchday squads, but by January he wanted to leave. He said he had a constructive discussion with Michael Carrick, who took charge during the season, but squad injuries complicated the prospect of a move.
“I had a good conversation with Michael [Carrick] when he came,” Malacia said. “Obviously, I wanted to leave, then some injuries came so I couldn't leave because of the numbers in the squad.
“That was difficult to accept. I was like 'I'm not going to play but I'm not allowed to leave so what's the point of me staying here'. Then he explained to me.”
The defender also acknowledged that managers have their own professional interests to consider, saying everyone ultimately has to look after themselves as well as the team.
Despite the difficult ending, Malacia said he did not regret his time at Old Trafford. His first season, he explained, had been enjoyable, and he retained positive memories of the players and staff he encountered.
He has since moved to FC Cincinnati, where he is working to re-establish himself through regular football.