We talk about one of my biggest frustrations, there," Ten Hag said of the left back situation. "You can accept in a position that a player is not available but when two players are not available over the course of the season that is very frustrating. Because that is also very difficult to catch up as a team but we dealt with it in the best way. But, of course, it is a disadvantage.
"I think it's going to be difficult for him (Malacia) this season to be available. He will fight, he's back on the pitch, but not in the team and the process had some setbacks for him and he's still going forwards really slowly and the season is coming to an end.
In December, I had the talks internally with the medical and performance (staff). They assured me they (Shaw and Malacia) will both be fit in January and so you will have two left full-backs.
"Then you have a third one, so I would always have to disappoint one full back."