Manchester United have a ‘very strong’ youngster but he could leave for just £5m

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Alvaro Fernandez is proving himself to be a ‘very strong left-back’ since leaving Manchester United for a loan spell at La Liga outfit Granada. 

That is the view of Dani Xelo, who coached the youngster in his teenage days and continues to keep a close eye on his former charge to this day.

Now 20, Alvaro Fernandez is approaching a critical juncture in his young career, with Benfica offering him the chance to cut ties with Manchester United and pursue a more regular first-team spot in Portugal.

There is a word of warning Man United here. When Benfica have their sights set on a promising up-and-comer, it usually means they’ve seen something pretty special in him.

This is a club who made colossal profits when selling on the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Darwin Nunez, Ederson and former Red Devil Nemanja Matic. And wouldn’t it be so typical of United’s modern-day recruitment strategy if Fernandez left on the cheap and then earned Benfica a huge fee later down the line.

Benfica like Manchester United starlet

“(Fernandez is a) very strong left-back, who stands out for his ability to conduct a large number of attacks at high intensity,” Xelo tells Record of the Spain under 21 international, who won the Young Player of the Year award in a previous loan spell at United’s Lancashire neighbours Preston North End.

“He is different, both in the offensive and defensive phases.”

Xelo, meanwhile, sees no reason why Fernandez cannot become the latest youngster to take his game to another level in the Portuguese capital. Benfica’s possession-heavy, attacking style, he believes, suits the one-time Real Madrid prospect down to the ground.

“He needs to play in a team who dominates, to have the ball and to be able to often reach the last third of the field,” adds Xelo, who draws similarities with a player who left Benfica over the summer and is now arguably Europe’s most in-form left-back.

“A player very similar to (Bayer Leverkusen’s Alex) Grimaldo.”

Alvaro Fernandez is on loan at Granada

Fernandez caught the eye for United during pre-season. And, with hindsight, perhaps Erik ten Hag would have been better served putting his faith in Fernandez rather than bringing in Sergio Reguilon after Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia were ruled out for long periods.

O Jogo, meanwhile, report that Benfica are hopeful of doing a deal for around £5 million.

Fernandez, then, would become the latest Man United talent to leave Old Trafford for a rather paltry sum, Luton Town’s £1 million acquisition Teden Mengi a particularly egregious example.