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Alex Telles comments on his left-back battle with Luke Shaw

Alex Telles has offered his view of his tussle with Luke Shaw for Manchester United’s first-choice left-back (via the club’s official website).

The Brazilian arrived at United from Porto as a deadline-day signing last summer for a reported fee of £15.4 million to provide competition to the English star.

Telles was expected to claim the starting berth under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following Shaw’s underwhelming 2019/20 campaign.

However, the 28-year-old has had a tough time settling in new surroundings, with much of the credit going to his competitor’s resurrection.

It seems that Telles’ arrival helped to get the most out of the former Southampton defender, who has enjoyed his best season at Old Trafford so far.

The 25-year-old has found consistency he was lacking in the previous years and managed to stay fit for most of the campaign.

He has combined a laser focus in defence with his ever-present desire to gallop forward en route to becoming a permanent fixture at Old Trafford and England national team.

Indeed, Shaw has nailed down the left-back position at United as his own, registering 23 starts in the Red Devils’ 29 Premier League matches.

By contrast, Telles has often played understudy to the England international, making just six top-flight starts and adding another 11 in cup competitions.

Despite spending most of his maiden Premier League season on the bench, Telles insists the competition for places is beneficial for himself and Shaw.

“I have always said that, when you have got players of the highest quality in the team, then the thing that ends up benefiting is Manchester United – the team,” he told the United website.

“Since I have arrived here, I have worked as hard as I can, and I have done everything I can to show that I deserve to be here, and I think I have done that.

“At the same time, I am really happy for Luke Shaw, who has made great progress and has been playing really well.

“He trains really well and he has done excellently in the matches as well.”

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