Alvaro Fernandez is beginning to flourish at Benfica since his move away from Manchester United.
Summer 2024 was a hectic one for outgoings at Manchester United, and the first player sold for a fee was young left-back Alvaro Fernandez.
Fernandez, 21, spent the second half of last season at Benfica on loan, following an earlier stint at Granada. Fernandez impressed sufficiently for the Portuguese side to activate their buy clause.
Benfica paid just £5 million for Fernandez, and he now has a £42 million release clause in his contract.
Alvaro Fernandez in 2024/25
Last season on loan at Benfica, Alvaro Fernandez was a rotational option at first. Despite joining in January, it took until March for him to get his first league start.
He eventually got his chance. Fernandez started five of Benfica’s last six league games, convincing the club to sign him permanently, with club president Rui Costa signing off on the deal.
Fernandez has begun 2024/25 as a key man in Benfica’s plans. While a substitute for their first match, a shock 2-0 loss to Famalicao, he has started the last three league games.
The talented left-back completed more passes than any other player in their win over Estrela, and then created a team-high three goalscoring chances in the draw at Moreirense.
Yet now there is some uncertainty in play, with manager Roger Schmidt sacked amid their slightly below-par start of two wins, one draw and one defeat in four matches.
Benfica are now looking for a new manager, and Fernandez will have to work extra hard to keep his place in the team.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
Fernandez exit analysis
Manchester United’s decision to send Alvaro Fernandez out on loan, leading to his permanent exit, remains a puzzling one.
The initial loan to Granada was made in full awareness of ongoing injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, with Sergio Reguilon signed as a stop-gap solution.
Erik ten Hag has got so much right in terms of giving youth a chance, and the decision over Fernandez looks like a glaring mistake.
Fernandez is now a regular for one of Portugal’s most prestigious teams, who will be competing in the Champions League this season. An early-November match-up with Bayern Munich will be a real test for the former Manchester United talent.
For the sake of a £5 million, United would have been better off last season, and this, had Fernandez been kept around.
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