Manchester United might already have Alex Telles replacement to solve £13m transfer mistake

Alex Telles contributed 26 goals and 57 assists during his four years playing for Porto. That record is outstanding for a left-back but it’s made less impressive when noting 16 of those goals were penalties. His highlight reel is mostly from the 12-yard spot.

Manchester United thought they were signing a left-back that was accomplished going forward when they signed Telles for £13.8m in October 2020. They were actually signing a penalty merchant and a left-back that couldn’t defend. There have been almost two years since Telles’ arrival and it’s been clear for some time now that he’s well below the level required to play for the club.

There wasn’t much seen of Telles in his first season at Old Trafford. Luke Shaw responded to the new competition with genuinely world-class performances and that ensured Telles’ involvement was limited. He quickly became accustomed to the bench.

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Telles started eight Premier League games last term and he’s started 14 this time around. Shaw has been unable to reproduce his form of last season and he’s also struggled with injury, which has offered Telles the opportunities he wanted at left-back.

Telles is the most senior left-back at the club yet he didn’t start at Anfield against Liverpool last week, despite Shaw’s absence. Ralf Rangnick opted to start Diogo Dalot instead with Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back. That pair swapped sides after half-time.

That was a statement from Rangnick. In an ideal world, none of the players that featured in that Liverpool debacle would have started against Arsenal, but the German’s hands were tied. Rangnick made five changes and that included returning Telles to the starting line up at the Emirates. Arsenal scored within five minutes in that game and Telles’ inability to defend was exposed again.

Raphael Varane was equally responsible for that goal but the centre-back still has credit in the bank whereas Telles has no goodwill remaining. The Brazilian has been awful this season and supporters have become increasingly frustrated with his performances.

Telles is ironically a poor defender. His positional awareness is frankly amateur and he struggles to do the basics that a left-back in the Premier League should have no problem with. It was once thought that Telles compensated for his dubious defensive qualities with stellar attacking contribution but that’s simply a myth. Telles isn’t competent going forward with the ball either.

His deliveries into the box leave plenty to be desired. Although Telles was brought to the club to be a capable deputy for Shaw, that position is clearly beyond his credentials. This season should be Telles’ last at United and he should be sold in the summer.

Erik ten Hag will oversee an unprecedented rebuild at United. There can’t possibly be enough departures from this gutless playing squad and Telles should be one of the names heading out of the door. United already have a replacement for Telles and that should make the decision easier. Alvaro Fernandez has shown enough to suggest shown he’s ready for the first team.

Fernandez, 19, joined United in the summer of 2020 from Real Madrid’s academy on a four-year contract. The Spaniard deserves credit for settling in Manchester during the pandemic and he’s now knocking on the door to become Shaw’s deputy.

The left-back has played in 22 from a possible 25 games in the Premier League 2 this term and he’s been instrumental in Neil Wood’s U23s side having more than a respectable season. Fernandez immediately catches the eye with his marauding runs forward on nights at Leigh Sports Village and he’s been training with the first team following consistently strong academy displays.

It’s surprising that Fernandez is yet to make his senior debut considering the circumstances at the club. Rangnick has worked with Telles long enough to recognise his limitations and he has nothing to lose by playing Fernandez in the coming weeks.

Telles is on borrowed time and Fernandez should take his place in the squad.

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