Euro giants confirm they will sign 21yo Man Utd graduate, Red Devils 'already informed' - report
Benfica have confirmed to Manchester United that Alvaro Fernandez will stay at the club after they decided to trigger the buy clause in his loan contract, according to O Jogo (page 10).
The 21-year-old left-back spent the first half of the season on loan with Granada. He was recalled by the Red Devils before he was sent to Portugal.
Benfica signed him on a temporary deal with a buy clause worth €6 million plus €3m in add-ons.
Fernandez did not make the required number of appearances for the clause to become mandatory, but Benfica have still decided to secure his services.
With his relatively young age and potential, the Primeira Liga giants have ‘already informed’ United that the Spaniard will continue with them permanently.
United still have the first-refusal option on their club graduate and could re-sign him if Benfica were to sell. They would have the chance to match any transfer offer.
United should have delayed a decision over Fernandez’s future
The Red Devils are currently without their left-backs Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia with injuries. The former faces a race against time to make the FA Cup final.
United have had a tough time coping with their absence. They surprisingly decided to loan out Fernandez in January despite parting ways with Sergio Reguilon.
Reguilon was signed on loan from Tottenham Hotspur last summer, but the hierarchy surprisingly triggered a break clause during the January transfer window.
The Red Devils should have delayed the decision over Fernandez’s future. The Spaniard should have had the chance to prove his credentials this year.
The club is now searching for a new left-back this summer. Fernandez could have been their solution if manager Erik ten Hag had shown more trust in him.