When it comes to Manchester United’s needs in the January transfer window, there is one need that stands out more than others.
For the best part of 18 months now, Manchester United have been operating without a fit left-back.
Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia cannot be relied on, while United’s predicament has been made worse by Erik ten Hag selling Alvaro Fernandez, a potential solution.
Fernandez was sold for just £5 million to Benfica after a loan, although United do have a buy-back option at £16 million.
Alvaro Fernandez has become a star
Alvaro Fernandez’s loan spell at Benfica was mixed last season, it took him a couple of months to really establish himself as a starter. Now he is fixed in as first choice.
Fernandez is a key player, starring for Benfica in Champions League matches, and scoring at the weekend in their victory over Farense.
Manchester United letting Fernandez leave has appeared like a key error, even though some warned against it at the time he was first sent out on loan.
Erik ten Hag gave an interview before his firing where he backed the process, citing the extra experience Fernandez is gaining, pointing out that United remain in control of the situation due to his release clause.
Benfica legend fears Manchester United return
Bringing Fernandez back makes a lot of sense amid the appointment of new head coach Ruben Amorim.
There has been speculation in Portugal already that Amorim will look to sign Fernandez, as he is an ideal fit for the head coach’s tactical approach.
Speaking to A Bola, former Benfica star Alvaro Magalhaes admits he is worried Manchester United will swoop for Fernandez in January.
He commented, while discussing the star’s strengths: “I only fear that Ruben Amorim will take him to Manchester United.
“It seems to me that he has the quality to be one of the first options and looking at the squad I believe that with the new coaching staff he could be a possibility again, especially because the new coach knows him very well from what he saw of him at Benfica.”
He added fearfully: “The decision is not just in the club’s hands.”
How good is Alvaro Fernandez
Magalhaes had a lot to say about Fernandez’s strengths, believing him to be a better defender than former Benfica ace Alejandro Grimaldo, now a title-winner with Bayer Leverkusen.
He said: “He is better than Grimaldo defensively. Grimaldo is more of a midfielder than a defender, as we have seen in Germany.
“He [Fernandez] defends well and attacks well. Does he make mistakes? Yes, like everyone else. But he is a complete player and will get better and better if he always plays the full 90 minutes: he gains confidence, corrects any weaknesses he may have and, as he is very young, he has the room for improvement.”
He adds that he regards Fernandez’s mental strength as just as important a trait as his technical attributes.
“This ability to react to adversity seems to me to be his strong point. Great players only succeed if they are mentally very strong, and that seems to be the case.
“Anyone who is weak cannot play for Benfica, just as he cannot play for Real Madrid, Manchester United, Bayern Munich or PSG. If he were weak, he would have already been released from Benfica and would be demonstrating his quality in another team.”
Manchester United signed Alvaro Fernandez from Real Madrid’s academy in 2020 and he made an instant impression for the club’s youth sides.
Fernandez seemed to be taking all the right steps towards the United first team, but it takes a lot for a manager to trust a young defender, in comparison to a midfielder and striker, due to the extra responsibility they have.
Erik ten Hag did have a good track record of bringing young players through, but his decision-making over Fernandez was definitely an oversight.
United can unwind this by activating Fernandez’s release clause, and would be bringing back a superior player to the one who left, who has picked up some very valuable experience.
The only question to be asked is whether United view there to be a better option out there, and this is what Benfica will be hoping.
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