Alvaro Fernandez was a relative unknown when he signed for Manchester United from Real Madrid’s academy in the summer.
The 17-year-old is doing his best to make a real name for himself, and he is doing a pretty good job so far.
Fernandez scored on his debut for United’s under-18s against Burnley in September. Since then he has been fast-tracked into the under-23s.
The Spaniard has not looked out of place at all in the under-23s, with three appearances now.
His performance in United’s 5-2 victory over Brighton on Friday showed how he is in fact, flourishing.
The teenager scored United’s fourth goal in the win, and it was a quite stunning goal.
Fernandez picked the ball up on the left, checked inside, dribbled into space and rifled an unstoppable shot in at the near post with his right foot.
It was a goal scored by a player with a lot of talent, and a lot of confidence.
Of all the players signed for the club’s academy in the summer, Fernandez along with Joe Hugill, has made the biggest impression early on.
Former United trainee Paul McShane told MUTV after the win he was quite taken by Fernandez’s performance.
McShane said: “He looks very good, tidy with his feet. When he steps into midfield areas he stays there, he can act as the extra midfielder.
“He was very comfortable and very impressive.”
What next for Fernandez?
The next step for Fernandez is to simply keep doing what he is doing.
He has to show he can produce these kind of displays consistently at under-23 level.
The queue for left-backs at first team level is growing after Alex Telles signed in the summer. Brandon Williams has been squeezed out lately.
If Fernandez can keep performing like this, then assuming we get a normal pre-season next year, he may get a first team chance then.
United will be in no rush, but his performances early on make him tough to ignore.
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