While playing for Porto, Alex Telles scored 26 goals and assisted on 57 others throughout his four years with the team. That is an incredible record for a left-back, but it is rendered less impressive when you consider that 16 of those goals came as a result of penalties. The 12-yard line is where he gets the most of his highlights.

The purchase of Telles for £13.8 million by Manchester United in October 2020 gave the club the impression that they had acquired a left-back who could contribute offensively. They were actually signing a penalty taker and a left-back who was incapable of defending himself. Almost two years have elapsed since Telles' arrival at the club, and it has been evident for some time that he is much below the standard required to compete for the team.

Telles didn't get much of a chance to shine during his debut season at Old Trafford. With truly world-class performances in response to the new competition, Luke Shaw ensured that Telles' participation was kept to a minimum. He immediately became acclimated to sitting on the bench.

In the Premier League last season, Telles started eight games, and this season, he has started 14 games. Shaw has been unable to replicate his form from last season, and he has also been hampered by injury, which has provided Telles with the opportunities he sought at left-back this season.

Despite the fact that Telles is the club's most experienced left-back, he was not selected to start against Liverpool at Anfield last week, despite Shaw's absence. Rather than starting Diogo Dalot at right-back, Ralf Rangnick chose to start Aaron Wan-Bissaka. After the half-time break, that pair switched sides.

Rangnick made a declaration to that effect. In an ideal world, none of the players who were involved in the Liverpool catastrophe would have been given the opportunity to start against Arsenal, but the German's options were limited. Rangnick made five changes, one of which being the recall of Telles to the starting lineup for the Emirates game on Sunday. That game saw Arsenal score after five minutes, exposing Telles' inability to defend yet another time.

Even if Raphael Varane was equally accountable for the goal, the centre-back still has credit left in his bank account, whilst Telles now has no goodwill left to his name. This season, the Brazilian has been a complete disaster, and his fans have grown increasingly dissatisfied with his performances.

Taking over as manager of Man United should be a straightforward task for Erik ten Hag.

Telles, in an ironic twist, is a bad defender. His understanding of his position is, to put it mildly, rudimentary, and he struggles to perform the fundamental tasks that a left-back in the Premier League should be able to complete with ease. In the past, it was widely believed that Telles' defensive shortcomings were compensated for by his excellent offensive contributions, however it is only a fallacy. Telles is also incompetent when it comes to moving the ball forward.

There is a lot to be desired about his delivery into the mailbox. Despite the fact that Telles was brought in to the club to serve as a skilled deputy for Shaw, it is evident that he is unqualified for that job. Telles' time at United should come to an end this season, and he should be sold in the summer.

Erik ten Hag will be in charge of a historic rebuilding effort at Manchester United. No amount of departures from this hapless playing squad can possibly be sufficient; thus, Telles should be among those who are let go. United already has a replacement in mind for Telles, which should make the decision a little less difficult. Alvaro Fernandez has demonstrated enough to imply that he is ready to be promoted to the first team.

Fernandez, 19, signed a four-year contract with United in the summer of 2020 after graduating from Real Madrid's youth program. As Shaw's potential successor, the Spaniard deserves respect for staying in Manchester during the pandemic.

As a result of his contributions to Neil Wood's U23s team enjoying a more than respectable season, the left-back has played 22 out of a possible 25 games in the Premier League 2 this season. The marauding surges forward that Fernandez makes on nights at Leigh Sports Village capture the notice of onlookers, and he has been practicing with the first team after a string of impressive performances for the academy.

Given the current state of affairs at the club, it is remarkable that Fernandez has yet to make his senior debut. Rangnick has had enough experience working with Telles to understand his limitations, and he has nothing to lose by taking on Fernandez in the coming weeks.

Telles is on borrowed time, and Fernandez should step in to take his place in the starting lineup.