Why Manchester United should go for Alex Telles in January

According to a report from the Daily Mirror, Manchester United star Luke Shaw is expected to be out for up to five weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace.

The Manchester United left-back, 24, was substituted in the first half of the 2-1 defeat and now faces a spell on the sidelines. As he is expected to be out for around five weeks, that would rule him out of the Red Devils’ upcoming clashes with Southampton, Leicester City, West Ham and Arsenal.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have been sweating over Luke Shaw’s injury considering Diogo Dalot—one of his few options at left-back—is also currently sidelined.

That leaves the Norwegian with Ashley Young and Marcos Rojo, although the former was brought on as a replacement against Palace and it is likely he will deputise in Shaw’s absence.

Shaw is easily United’s best left-back option and the lack of real competition in that position is certainly a concern. The issue will not go away, however. 

The England international is a fully-fledged professional and will soon enter the peak years of his career. Yet, he just hasn’t been able to take his game to the next level following the dreadful double leg break in 2015 and now faces a spell on the sidelines following a hamstring problem.

Solskjaer has some serious questions to answer in that position if he is to help the Red Devils get back into the top four this season. That being said, United should reignite their interest in FC Porto left-back, Alex Telles, who was linked with a move to Old Trafford last year.

Alex Telles, 26, has impressed in Portugal, establishing himself as one of the brightest attacking left-backs in Europe. He managed four goals and eight assists in 33 league games for Porto last season.

The Brazilian has hit the ground running in the new campaign as well, bagging a goal and an assist in three games thus far.

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The 26-year-old has plenty of pace and skill, and also possesses a wand of a left-foot with which he can strike the ball with immense power. Telles would give Solskjaer a massive threat on the left flank as the former Galatasaray man can also be used as a winger.

Not only is he excellent going forward, but also the Brazilian is defensively astute with good positional awareness.

Verdict

Shaw looks far off the required level to take United forward. Hence, United have every reason to look at Telles as someone who could add a lot of stability, depth and experience to their backline, whilst replacing Shaw at left-back.