Manager regrets ‘great player’ exit as Man Utd make loanee decision, sporting director has blunt response

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Manchester United loanee Alvaro Fernandez has left Granada behind after the Red Devils cut his loan spell short.

Promising Manchester United defender Alvaro Fernandez saw his loan spell at Granada end earlier this week.

Granada confirmed via a ‘Comunicao Oficial‘ that the defender’s loan had been terminated at Manchester United’s request.

Fernandez has now clinched a subsequent loan move to Benfica, the club confirmed last night.

READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfer deals for January 2024, ins, outs, loan moves

Split reaction at Granada

Alvaro Fernandez’s departure leaves a shortage of players at his position for the La Liga strugglers, but they do partly have themselves to blame.

Fernandez was only selected to start five league games, featuring a further eight times as substitute, while accumulating only 474 minutes of playing time.

It wasn’t what Manchester United were looking for, to the disappointment of Granada’s coach.

Manager Alexander Medina gave his perspective on Fernandez’s exit, via AS, “The club told me a few days ago that there was the possibility of him leaving. Unfortunately, we will no longer be able to count on him.

“He is a great player, a great boy, who has many qualities. He is going to continue growing as a professional. We regret his departure. We as a team are very strong. The players who replace him are going to do it in the best way.”

But there were more cutting remarks from Granada’s sporting director Matteo Tognozzi, who suggested that Fernandez had also expressed a desire to leave the club.

He was quoted by Record: “There was a clause in his contract and the player and Manchester United asked to leave. We don’t feel disappointed, we did everything we could and it’s a decision for the player and his club.

“Players who don’t want to be at Granada don’t have to continue at Granada, it’s simple. We have a very important objective ahead of us and we need players who want to fight for that objective.”

Fernandez next step

Fernandez has joined Benfica until the end of the season.

Asked about the defender’s next destination, general director Alfredo Garcia Amado chose not to get involved in the speculation.

He told AS: “That is something that does not concern us. It’s what it seems like it’s going to be. That’s something that depends on the boy and Manchester United, not on us.” 

Benfica subsequently unveiled Fernandez, with the defender posing with the shirt.

Granada looking at Pellistri

Manchester United might end up sending another player on loan to Granada.

Fabrizio Romano reports there are ongoing negotiations between United and the Spanish side over Facundo Pellistri.

It’s claimed Granada lead the race, although its unclear if another loan to a relegation threatened La Liga side is really what the Uruguayan needs, after a tough 18 months at Alaves.

Still, he will have more of an opportunity to play than he would at Manchester United, and it will be up to him to make the best of it.

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