Alex Telles headed into the summer facing a big decision about his future.
The Brazilian knew he would have to win over new boss Erik ten Hag in order to secure a spot in his Manchester United starting XI following an underwhelming two years at Old Trafford. Brought in by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for around £15million on transfer deadline day in 2020, Telles failed to nail down a place in the starting XI under the Norwegian, instead having to play second fiddle to Luke Shaw.
He made a handful of appearances under interim boss Ralf Rangnick after Solskjaer left last season, but ultimately failed to convince as he was even deployed as a centre-back and on the left-wing. Telles helped paper over cracks within the United squad but couldn't get past Shaw to become the club's starting left-back.
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And the defender admitted last week that his fall down the pecking order at Old Trafford had something to do with his summer departure to Sevilla. Telles joined the Spanish outfit on loan until the end of the season following the arrival of further competition in the form of Tyrell Malacia.
When asked by TNT Sports if his move was to do with his World Cup hopes, he replied: "Obviously. If I say no, I’ll be lying.
I really believe in preparation. I know I’m on the radar, I know I was called for the last call-ups. So obviously having more and more minutes, playing as much as possible.
"So I’m exclusively focused on that preparation. I know it depends a lot on what I do at my club for me to be willing and always at a high level, so if I get called up for the national team, to be prepared."
Telles believes he wouldn’t have been able to push for his World Cup goal if had stayed at United, even with a new manager at the helm. "No, I felt it, I felt it anyway," he added.
While it is early days, Telles is already staking his claim for a place in Tite's World Cup squad – receiving a call-up alongside United stars Fred, Antony and Casemiro last week. He's made four appearances for Sevilla so far this season, registering one assist, being handed more chances to impress in Spain than it is likely he would have got had he remained at United.
His call-up for Brazil is evidence Telles made the right move when it comes to his World Cup hopes – and vindication of his decision to leave United.
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