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