A sad picture of Alvaro Fernandez after Manchester United’s 4-0 defeat to Brighton shows the defeat was a depressing experience for the squad’s young players.
Fernandez was included in Manchester United’s matchday squad for Saturday’s game. The young left-back has been elevated recently after the injury to Luke Shaw, being asked to deputise for Alex Telles.
Fernandez is yet to make his debut, and honestly, he was better off out of it at The Amex, where he was an unused substitute. The 19-year-old looked crestfallen at the final whistle as he went to applaud the away fans.
It was so different to Fernandez’s upbeat attitude last week after United beat Brentford 3-0, in which he sent a message after the game hoping for his debut soon.
It arguably should have come this past weekend, with Alex Telles turning in yet another below par performance at the position.
Yet there is a case to be made that it would have done him more harm than good, to have played at the weekend, with United ripped apart.
Morale in the squad appears to range from brittle to low, with United falling apart on the south coast. Even Bruno Fernandes admitted supporters who chanted ‘you’re not fit to wear the shirt’, were right to do so.
At least, if there was one positive to be shown from Alvaro Fernandez’s sad-looking reaction, was that he appears to care.
United need players who are passionate about success and want to win, and Fernandez has plenty of talent, with nine assists from left-back for the under-23s this season.
A careful decision needs to be made ahead of the next game, whether it would be wise to play any of the young players in the final match of the season away at Crystal Palace.
But it is hard to make the case that any of the starters against Brighton deserve to retain their places. Fernandez cannot do worse.
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