United Briefing: Shaw motivates us all
Manchester United left-back Alex Telles says that the wonderful form of fellow defender Luke Shaw is motivating both him and the team to push on.
The England full-back is the current holder of our Player of the Month award and also made a successful return to international duty with the Three Lions last weekend.
Shaw’s immaculate form has meant Telles has been restricted to seven Premier League appearances, but the Brazilian says that fierce competition for places is what the squad expect and want to see at the club.Why Shaw is our Player of the Month... again!
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“I've always said that, when you've got players of the highest quality in the team, then the thing that ends up benefiting is Manchester United; the team,” explained the former Porto man.
“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.
Telles has featured in 18 of our 47 games so far in 2020/21, and performed impressively when called upon.
And with plenty more fixtures lined up before the end of the season, as United chase a strong Premier League finish and Europa League glory, the 28-year-old knows he will get more chances.
But, right now, he says he is enjoying battling it out with Shaw for a spot. In fact, he suggests that having two top-level players for each position is something that is vital, if the squad is to reach their desired standards.Legends' first & last United Premier League goals
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“When you've got a situation like that, then the team can only benefit from it,” insists Alex. “And it's Man United that wins from that [situation].
“In terms of the two of us, we both motivate each other and push each other further forward and we help each other. That's really, really important throughout the team, independent of the positions we play.”
With the Reds suffering from several injuries in recent weeks, squad depth is as important as ever, and United are likely to need everyone before the draining 2020/21 campaign reaches its conclusion.There are certainly no concerns in the left-back position, where United can bank on the high-flying Shaw, the experienced Telles, not to mention young Brandon Williams, who started three semi-finals last season.
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WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY?
We’ll start building up to United’s big Premier League match with Brighton at the weekend, including the early team news now that the international fixtures have been completed.
You'll also hear from Ethan Laird, our promising young full-back who is on loan with MK Dons.
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WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY?
Bruno Fernandes returned to the Aon Training Complex, ahead of this weekend’s Premier League match with Brighton & Hove Albion. The Portuguese picked up a suspension while representing his country against Serbia at the weekend, so missed their follow-up match with Luxembourg on Tuesday.
Daniel James revealed the best advice he has received so far in his fledgling career. The winger scored the only goal in Wales’s vital 1-0 win over Czech Republic in Cardiff on Tuesday evening, when he rose high to steer home Gareth Bale’s cross.
There was also an interview with James Garner, who’s doing very well on loan with Championship club Nottingham Forest.
Elsewhere, Marcus Rashford explained his admiration for a former United hero from Portugal – no, not Cristiano Ronaldo (though Marcus has often cited our former no.7), but Nani. Rashford recently revealed he used to try and emulate the 2008 Champions League winner’s knuckleball shooting technique.