Tyrell Malacia deal has highlighted another Manchester United transfer problem

Once Manchester United complete the signing of Feyenoord left-back Tyrell Malacia, manager Erik ten Hag will have more left-backs than he knows what to do with.

The 22-year-old's impending arrival at Old Trafford will take United's tally of recognised left-backs to five, with Luke Shaw, Alex Telles, Brandon Williams and Alvaro Fernandez all currently on the club's books. The Reds are threatening to create an unhealthy environment in that area of the team, even if too many options can never supposedly be a bad thing for any manager to have.

But Ten Hag will not want his squad to be drowning in left-backs, all of whom will believe they have the right to play regular first-team football somewhere. The Manchester Evening News understands that Shaw, despite Malacia's impending arrival in M16, will remain United's preferred choice at left-back, but the addition of Malacia will keep him on his toes and provide him with some healthy competition.

READ MORE: Manchester United expect to sign Tyrell Malacia after representation issue resolved

Telles has failed to ever do that since signing from FC Porto almost two years ago, with his performances going up and down more often than Norwich City do, when flirting between the Premier League and Championship. He has not lived up to the billing and it would be in everyone's best interests if United could offload him this summer. After all, he will expect better than being third in the pecking order.

Uncertainty surrounds Williams' future at Old Trafford after last season's loan spell at Norwich, while United are understood to be open to the idea of letting Fernandez leave on loan in pursuit of regular first-team football for the first time in his career. It is a situation that needs