Manchester United youngster Alvaro Fernandez is on loan at Spanish side Granada, which was a controversial decision.
Alvaro Fernandez is gaining first team experience on loan at La Liga side Granada, after Erik ten Hag decided to send him out and sign Sergio Reguilon instead.
The move was a hotly contested one, with Robbie Savage accusing the manager of abandoning the club’s principles of trusting in youth.
With Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia injured, and Brandon Williams out on loan, this was a genuine rare chance for Alvaro Fernandez to play regular football for Manchester United. It wasn’t to be. But he is at least getting first team football in a top flight league in Spain.
How Alvaro Fernandez is faring in La Liga
Alvaro Fernandez moved to Granada at the end of the transfer window which meant he did not make his debut for the club until after the international break on September 18.
His breakthrough came as a half-time substitute against Almeria at the start of October when he inspired his side to come from 3-0 down to draw 3-3. He even hit the post at the end.
Fernandez has been repaid with three consecutive starts, although is yet to complete 90 minutes. Granada have also failed to win any of them, and rank in 19th place in La Liga so far.
Last night he was involved in another back and forth game with Granada losing 3-2 to Villarreal, but he really caught the eye.
Praise for Alvaro Fernandez
Alvaro Fernandez played 68 minutes in the defeat, and managed to create two goalscoring chances. He also won three tackles and made three interceptions.
Once again he was selected as a wing-back, and then shifted further forward into midfield, rather than playing in defence, although he is viewed as more than capable.
His performance was praised by Spanish newspaper AS, which wrote: “Very active, helped in every corner. He gives the impression that he is more usable as a traditional left back because he is very good. He wore himself out all over the field doing a lot of work. Sometimes too much.”
The knock on Alvaro Fernandez
The knock on Alvaro Fernandez is whether he is good enough defensively. Going back to his academy performances, they were more eye-catching because of his excellent work going forward.
And then on loan at Preston North End last year, he featured mainly as wing-back, a role he excelled in, but it did not necessarily teach Manchester United whether he was ready to play as a traditional left-back in the team’s system.
Erik ten Hag took a look at Fernandez in pre-season, and he did not do badly, even providing one assist, but clearly it was not enough to convince the Dutchman that he should go all in on the youngster to solve the injury crisis.
AS believe Fernandez is more than capable at left-back despite being used further forward, and we may see this later on in the season. For now, it’s somewhat of a success for the 20-year-old to be starting games in a top level league, and he is giving a good account of himself.
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