Alex Telles has opened up on the competition between him and Luke Shaw for the left-back spot at Manchester United, with the Brazilian insisting that the pair "both motivate each other".

The 28-year-old has made 18 appearances for the 20-time English champions since arriving from Porto last summer, but he is currently behind in-form Shaw when it comes to a starting role at Old Trafford.

Telles has said that he has 'done everything he can' to prove that he deserves to be at the club and has revealed that he has a strong relationship with his fellow left-back.

"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 told Man United's official website.

"At the same time, I'm really happy for Luke Shaw, who has made great progress and has been playing really well. He trains really well and he's done excellently in the matches as well.

"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."

Telles has only featured on seven occasions in the Premier League this season. body check tags ::