Former Manchester United defender Alvaro Fernandez was in action for Benfica as they recorded an iconic 4-1 win over Porto.
Plenty of Manchester United fans had their eyes on the Liga Portugal on Sunday evening, but most were understandably watching Ruben Amorim’s final game in charge of Sporting Lisbon.
Sporting went 2-0 down to Braga but Ruben Amorim inspired his side to a remarkable 4-2 comeback win to maintain their 100 percent winning start to the season.
Elsewhere in Portugal, there was a huge clash between Sporting’s biggest rivals Benfica and Porto.
Former Red Devils left-back Alvaro Fernandez started and scored for Benfica in an action-packed 4-2 win.
Portuguese media rave about Alvaro Fernandez vs Porto
As recently as Wednesday evening, United fans were blown away by Fernandez during Benfica’s Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.
The 21-year-old kept his spot at left-back against Porto and put on another incredible display.
He played the full 90 minutes and ended the match with 61 touches, an 83 percent duel success rate, four tackles and one goal.
Fernandez opened the scoring half an hour in with a low-driven finish. After the full-time whistle, Portuguese media raved about his performance.
A Bola gave Fernandez an 8/10 rating, the joint-highest in the match. They added: “What a game from the Spaniard, the best player in the first half. Second game in the league in which he has scored. He is, in fact, going through a brilliant moment and with unshakable confidence in his talent.”
Fernandez was also given a 7/10 rating by ZeroZero, who wrote: “There were good signs when he arrived at the club, but it was only in the new season that Álvaro Carreras began to show what he was really capable of. Today, the Spaniard’s adventures on the left wing are very important in the Eagles’ attacking maneuvers and this was evident very early on.”
Ruben Amorim could bring Alvaro Fernandez back to Man United
United allowed Fernandez to leave this summer for just £5m, and he now has a £42m release clause in his Benfica contract.
However, the Red Devils inserted a buy-back clause of just £16.7m until 2026, giving the club an option to bring him back as early as January.
Amorim has ruled out signing Sporting players in January, but that doesn’t mean he won’t raid his former rivals.
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It has been suggested that Amorim will certainly be watching Fernandez at Benfica, with the young wing-back a perfect fit for his 3-4-3 system.
United have had issues at left-back due to the lack of availability from both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia. Fernandez is young, in great form, and available for a small fee – it makes perfect sense for him to become Amorim’s first signing.
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