Manchester United

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Man Utd confirm Alex Telles exit on loan, with stance on transfer clauses unearthed

Alex Telles, Man Utd v Crystal Palace July 2022

Manchester United have confirmed the departure of Alex Telles to Sevilla on a season-long loan.

Telles became surplus to requirements at Old Trafford following the signing of Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord. Now, it will be the Dutchman to compete with Luke Shaw, rather than Telles.

Instead, the Brazil international will spend the upcoming campaign in La Liga with Sevilla. There is no mention of an option or obligation to buy.

According to PA, Sevilla will be covering Telles’ wages in full for the duration of his stay in Spain.

It will be his first time playing in La Liga. Indeed, Spain will become the sixth different country he has played club football in.

By the time the 29-year-old’s spell with Sevilla ends, there will be just 12 months left on his contract with Manchester United.

Hence, despite the absence of any purchase clauses in the deal, it is likely that United have seen the back of the former Porto man.

He is leaving them with exactly 50 appearances to his name. Telles scored one goal for the club, which was a volley in a Champions League game against Villarreal.

Now, he will be competing against Spanish opposition on a weekly basis. Sevilla’s season starts with an away match against Osasuna on August 12.

By joining them on loan from United, Telles will be following in the footsteps of Anthony Martial. The forward spent the second half of last season under the same kind of arrangement.

Injury issues prevented him from making a significant impact, so Telles will be hoping for a better fate than his former teammate.

Telles will be competing for a place at left-back with Marcos Acuna for Sevilla, who earlier in the summer let Ludwig Augustinsson join Aston Villa on loan.

Good move for Alex Telles

It was quite clear that Telles would not be playing regularly for Man Utd. Now, he stands a chance of getting that gametime with Sevilla.

In the process, he will be playing for a side competing in La Liga, the Copa Del Rey and the Champions League.

Hence, it is a good level at which to continue his career. He might be hoping to send a message to his doubters.

His focus will be on what he can help Sevilla achieve, though. Their defence is undergoing an evolution this summer after the sales of centre-backs Diego Carlos and Jules Kounde.

As such, Telles will form part of a new look backline, on the flank of a new centre-back pairing.

After earning two of his six Brazil caps in 2022, he will also hope to put together enough consistent form to be in contention for the World Cup.

It would seemingly have been a distant possibility as a Man Utd player, despite those couple of caps earlier this year. But now it is time for a fresh opportunity.

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