Transfer Centre

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag 'decides to sell Alex Telles'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 03 July 2022

New Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reportedly decides to part ways with Alex Telles as the Red Devils close in on the signing of Tyrell Malacia.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has reportedly decided to part ways with left-back Alex Telles this summer.

The 29-year-old arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2020 with high expectations after registering 26 goals and 57 assists in 195 games during a productive spell at Porto.

However, Telles has struggled to replicate that form in Manchester amid competition from Luke Shaw, scoring only once and setting up eight more in 50 appearances over the past two seasons.

Telles provided four assists in 21 Premier League outings last year - starting 18 of them while Shaw occupied a spot in the treatment room - but he was criticised for his defensive lapses.

The Brazil international is also alleged to have been involved in a training ground bust-up with Hannibal Mejbri a couple of months ago, forcing Ralf Rangnick to abandon the session.

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick and defender Alex Telles pictured in December 2021 © Reuters

According to The Mirror, Man United are now primed to sell the under-performing Telles, who does not have a future at Old Trafford under Ten Hag.

The report adds that the fracas with Mejbri has not been the only instance of Telles having a quarrel with teammates, as Bruno Fernandes took issue with the left-back filming part of a training session for a documentary.

Man United are still thought to be interested in a deal for Villarreal's Pau Torres, and it is claimed that Telles could be used as part of a player-plus-cash deal to sign the Spain international.

The left-back remains under contract at Old Trafford until 2024 with the option of a further year, but Ten Hag is close to adding greater depth to his defensive ranks on that side.

The 20-time English champions are thought to be on the brink of signing Feyenoord defender Tyrell Malacia, who will undergo the first part of his Man United medical on Sunday.

Feyenoord defender Tyrell Malacia pictured in May 2022 © Reuters

Malacia will then finalise his medical on Monday and will sign a four-year deal with the option of an additional 12 months, becoming Ten Hag's first summer signing in the process.

The Red Devils also appear to have leapfrogged Arsenal in the race to sign Ajax's Lisandro Martinez, who can operate as a left-back, centre-back or in midfield.

Man United are said to have tabled a £39.6m offer to sign the 24-year-old, but Ajax are still holding out for a fee closer to £43m for the Argentine, who is desperate to play in the Premier League.

However, Man United fans have been rocked by the news that Cristiano Ronaldo has supposedly informed the club of his desire to leave amid doubts over the club's ability to win silverware next term.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has also reiterated that Frenkie de Jong is not for sale, in spite of claims that a £56.3m deal has been agreed for the Dutch midfielder.