Manchester United defender Alex Telles has said that his positional rivalry with Luke Shaw has benefitted the club.
Telles signed for United on deadline day last summer from FC Porto, in order to provide competition for the left-back spot.
It has been Shaw that has firmly established himself as the number one choice in that position, with Telles featuring mainly in cup competitions since January.
The Brazilian has made 18 appearances in total for United. Seven of those have been in the Premier League.
However, the presence of Telles at the club has had a major positive impact on Shaw’s own form. Equally, Telles himself has also impressed when played.
Speaking to the official Manchester United website, Telles admitted that the competition for places in his position has helped the club as a whole.
“I’ve always said that, when you’ve got players of the highest quality in the team, then the thing that ends up benefitting is Manchester United; the team,” he explained.
“Since I’ve arrived here, I’ve worked as hard as I can and I’ve done everything I can to show that I deserve to be here, and I think I’ve done that.
“At the same time, I’m really happy for Luke Shaw, who has made great progress and has been playing really well.
“He trains really well and he’s done excellently in the matches as well.
“When you’ve got a situation like that, then the team can only benefit from it.
“And it’s Man United that wins from that [situation].”
Telles and United looking to finish season strongly
United sit second in the Premier League table going into this weekend’s games, with eight points separating themselves and fifth-placed West Ham in the race for the four Champions League spots.
They face a quarter-final tie against Spanish side Granada, with the first leg taking place on April 7.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are next in Premier League action on Saturday when they host Brighton at Old Trafford.
They then travel to Jose Mourinho‘s Tottenham – a side that beat them 6-1 earlier in the opening weeks of the campaign.
Featured Image Credit: Getty