Alex Telles responds to Luke Shaw competition at Manchester United

Alex Telles is relishing his battle with Luke Shaw for the starting berth at left-back in the Manchester United side and insists the pair have "great respect" for each other.

Telles is set to start a fourth successive game when Atletico Madrid visit Old Trafford in the Champions League last-16 on Tuesday, with Shaw still recovering from a recent bout of Covid.

There has been little to separate the duo this season and Telles believes his own game has improved after a difficult first campaign at United.

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The Brazilian has made 14 starts this term, with Shaw beginning 25 times, but Telles has started nine of the 19 games that Ralf Rangnick has been in charge for. "I have great respect for Luke, not just for him but all the players in the squad, I know the history Luke has at Manchester United," Telles said.

"I’ve come here to help. The first year wasn’t that easy for me but this year I feel a lot better. I'm working very hard and I’m a player who comes to help, the manager makes the decision and he’ll pick the player who is playing best. I have huge respect for Luke and we get on really well."

Telles set-up Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick clinching goal against Tottenham on Saturday, swinging in the corner that was headed home by the Portuguese to seal United's thrilling 3-2 win. That was a timely return to form for Ronaldo and Telles has hailed the 37-year-old's influence not just on the pitch but off it.

"It’s important he plays at his top level, we know his history in football, the impact he has in the changing room and on our football, when he’s on fire it’s amazing for us. We want to help him and he always wants to help us," he said.

Ronaldo has history against