'Manchester United's Alternative To Alex Telles Would Have Annoyed Fans

Manchester United fans will have been mightily relieved on Monday when the club announced the signing of Alex Telles, and there's extra reason they'd have been annoyed if they didn't capture the left-back.

Ironically just a few weeks ago Luke Shaw claimed United needed more signings, before it almost instantly became apparent Telles was one of their top targets.

The former Southampton full back then had an aberration of a game against Spurs on Sunday, as Jose Mourinho's side won 6-1, and his fate was all but settled.

Telles arrived on deadline day from Porto, after a couple of weeks of negotiations, and at time it didn't look like the deal would actually get done.

United did have an alternative though, according to Fabrizio Romano. Talking on his podcast, Romano revealed that Chelsea's Emerson Palmieri would have been the next target if Telles hadn't happened.

The plan B for #mufc, if they had problems in the Alex Telles deal, was Chelsea's Emerson Palmieri #mulive [@FabrizioRomano, @podcastherewego]

— utdreport (@utdreport) October 7, 2020

Frank Lampard really wanted to get rid of Palmieri, who joined from Roma in 2018, and a return to Italy looked on the cards for the full-back but it failed to materialise.

The 26-year-old has not been a success since his €20 million move and he's only made 57 appearances in all competitions since moving to west London, with many of those off the bench or in cup competitions.

Whilst Shaw has not been in good form for United, taking a castaway from a fellow top four contender would have been seen as a backward step for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team.

Palmieri has only played in the Carabao Cup this season. Image: PA Images

The rumour, if true, is further proof, as if any were needed, at just how bad United's planning was this summer with transfers. If they were so desperate for a left-back why not get the deal done earlier and at very least why not have a better back up option. The mind boggles.

Whilst the Blues have so far not managed to get rid of Palmieri, it is claimed that Porto are hoping to sign the left-back on loan, to replace Telles.

source https://www.sportbible.com/football/transfers-manchester-uniteds-alternative-to-alex-telles-would-have-annoyed-fans-20201007