Alex Telles insisted he would keep working hard after starring in a new role during Manchester United 's pre-season hammering of Liverpool on Tuesday.
The Brazilian was deployed at centre-back when he came on for the second-half of the clash in Bangkok. Telles is traditionally a left-back and was not played in the centre of defence at all during last year's disastrous campaign for the Red Devils.
But that has changed immediately under new boss Erik ten Tag, who did some experimenting during the second period at the Rajamangala National Stadium. The United chief had been hit by a knock to Harry Maguire ahead of the first game of his reign.
That led to him deploying Telles as an emergency centre-back, with the 29-year-old slotting in next to Eric Bailly. The duo impressed against a Liverpool attack that contained both Mohamed Salah and star signing Darwin Nunez.
They helped United to keep a clean sheet in the second period, which ensured they held onto a stunning 4-0 win. And Telles took to social media to deliver his own thoughts on the game.
"Work hard and keep focus. Thank You," he wrote on Twitter and Instagram alongside three photos of him in action against Liverpool. It was an impressive performance from Ten Hag's troops, with Jadon Sancho opening the scoring after just 12 minutes when he smashed home.
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Fred doubled United's tally on the half-hour mark, lobbing Allison after the ball had fallen kindly to him. Anthony Martial completed the perfect first-half for United when he stole the ball off Rhys Williams before racing through to beat Allison with a lifted effort.
Telles was one of the wholesale changes that Ten Hag made at half-time, with Tyrell Malacia taking his usual spot at left-back as he shifted into the centre of defence. As that backline kept a clean sheet, Facundo Pellistri wrapped up the scoring with a composed finish, leaving Ten Hag delighted.
"We are satisfied today because I think there was a team with great spirit. We know we are just starting and when things begin to click like the press. We know we made some mistakes in pressing and conceded some chances but also we created a lot," he told MUTV.
"I think our team played bravely, they were proactive and we had to work really hard to get out of some mistakes. Of course, we are happy with the first game. It was not only the result. I know we have good players but we have to play as a team. We started the first game well so I am happy."
"Of course it will take time. But to be honest, Liverpool played with three teams and they were not at their strongest, so we are not overestimating them [our players]. We saw some really good things. What you see is we have a lot of creativity and speed in the front and we have potential."
