Ten Hag lays down law as Man Utd to sell forgotten star after missing training

17 July 2023 , 20:23

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Ten Hag lays down law as Man Utd to sell forgotten star after missing training

Brazilian giants Flamengo are interested in a deal to sign Manchester United defender Alex Telles this summer.

The left-back is certain to depart Old Trafford this summer and alongside fellow out-of-favour defender Eric Bailly, did not report for the first full day of United’s pre-season training on Saturday. United boss Erik ten Hag has no plans for either defender in his squad for the forthcoming season.

Telles moved to Sevilla on a season-long loan deal but the Spanish club will not sign the player permanently this summer. United have been on the lookout to find another willing buyer for the Brazilian, who joined from Porto in 2020.

The left-back made 38 appearances for the Andalusian side across all competitions last term including a starting berth in the Europa League final win over Roma. Yet he started just 15 La Liga matches and there is no demand to sign him permanently.

Luke Shaw is the established starting left-back under Ten Hag while Tyrell Malacia, signed last summer from Feyenoord, is the primary back-up in the position. Diogo Dalot – naturally a right-back – has also covered in the position while Brandon Williams is still part of the squad.

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United are at risk of losing Telles on a free transfer next year, but they can also trigger a one-year extension in his contract until 2025 should they wish to protect his value. However, it is likely they will allow his departure for a minimal fee this summer to clear his salary from their wage bill.

Manchester United players are back in pre-season training (Getty Images)

Have Your Say! Which players should Man Utd sell this summer? Tell us what you think here.

Flamengo – the most supported club in Brazil – now want to sign Telles with O Globo reporting they wish to provide competition to Ayrton Lucas in the position. Lucas has won two caps for the Brazilian national team in the past year but Flamengo boss Jorge Sampaoli - who briefly coached Sevilla last season - is a fan of the United full-back.

Telles, 30, was signed under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on deadline day of the summer transfer window in 2020 for a fee in the region of £16million. He has made 50 first-team appearances for United but scored just one goal – against Villarreal in the Champions League in the 2021/22 campaign.

Telles and Bailly, who is returning to United from a season on loan at Marseille, are set to lead a lengthy exit list from United in the coming weeks. Fred, Scott McTominay, Anthony Martial and Harry Maguire are among the players that Ten Hag is keen to move on this summer.

Colin Millar