Alex Telles is next in line to be off-loaded by Manchester United after it's believed the full-back was involved in a furious training ground bust-up.
The clash with fiery teenage starlet Hannibal Mejbri took place just days after United's 4-0 humiliation at Brighton in May in the penultimate match of a disastrous campaign. After the pair were pulled apart, interim manager Ralf Rangnick was forced to abandon the training session early as his authority over the United dressing room completely disintegrated.
Shocked team-mates tried to calm the situation down as the 19-year-old Tunisian clashed with the experienced Brazilian, 10 years his senior, after a challenge. United were keen to play down the bust-up and keep the identity of the players involved under wraps. But it's thought to have been Telles and rising young star Hannibal.
The incident at the end of Rangnick's ill-fated reign at the club was seen as evidence of the divisions within a United dressing room described as “broken” by former star and Sky pundit Gary Neville.
And as United close in on a £13.5million deal for Feyenoord left back Tyrell Malacia, it appears the end of Telles' short and not so sweet Old Trafford career is looming.
Telles, who joined United from FC Porto in a £13.6 million transfer almost two years ago, also had a set-to with midfielder Bruno Fernandes with footage emerging online of an argument involving Fred. Portuguese star Fernandes took exception to Telles and his fellow Brazilian filming footage at United's Carrington training ground for “A Day in the Life” video with Brazilian football marketing agency O Clube football”.
Fernandes could be clearly heard telling the pair to “stop being ballers” and told them “you are here to play football not film it!” before telling the camera crew to “film my d**k!”
Telles has disappointed since being signed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and has failed to replicate the form he showed at Porto where he scored 23 goals in 160 games.
In the 26 games he played last season United's defence conceded 32 goals with Telles often criticised for poor positioning and concentration. And he was often an unconvincing performer as he stood in for injured England star Luke Shaw in the last six weeks of the season.
The Brazilian star may still be of use to United, though even though it looks like his days are numbered.
United have been on the trail of Villarreal defender Pau Torres for months and they would happily use Telles and Ivorian defender Eric Bailly – a former player at the Spanish club – as bait to land the 25-year-old Spanish international who has a £45million price tag. Torres is high on United's wish list but ten Hag is also keen to land his former Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez with the Argentinian also being chased by Arsenal.
Ten Hag, meanwhile, has indicated he'll stamp on any dressing room divisions, players not pulling in the same direction or anyone not following his orders.
The new boss addressed players at the start of training last week telling them what he expects on and off the pitch. That message will be repeated to stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes and Raphael Varane who are due back in training later this week after being given extended time off.
Ten Hag has also told his coaches at Carrington to report any issues to him immediately so he can deal with any disciplinary matters directly. It's already clear he intends to rule with a firmer fist than Rangnick who ran into problems when he replaced Solskjaer.
Some players took advantage of his fair-minded nature – but they've already been warned ten Hag won't stand for anyone questioning his methods.
