Fede Valverde comments on Alvaro pose even more scrutiny on Erik ten Hag’s decision-making process at Man Utd

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One of Manchester United’s worst decisions in recent memory just gets worse.

There have been some bad decisions at Manchester United over the years that end up looking worse with hindsight. But you can usually rationalise the thinking at the time.

Case 1) Manchester United losing Paul Pogba for free in 2012: Sir Alex Ferguson refused to sanction business with Mino Raiola, leading to Paul Pogba‘s exit. The great manager’s judgement was usually correct, and he had earned that trust to make his decision.

Case 2) Selling Danny Welbeck in 2014: Danny Welbeck was sold to make way for Radamel Falcao. While coming off an injury he was just 12 months removed from being the best centre-forward in world football. It was a swing worth taking.

And then there are decisions that are made with absolutely zero logic, that you cannot defend at all.

Case 3) Erik ten Hag choosing Sergio Reguilon over Alvaro: With injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, Manchester United needed a left-back at the start of the 2023/24 season. Erik ten Hag decided to discard talented academy kid Alvaro, and loan in Sergio Reguilon.

Reguilon started only four Premier League games, before being sent back to Tottenham.

In 2025, Reguilon is a free agent, and Alvaro is starring for Real Madrid, after securing his Manchester United exit following Ten Hag’s snub.

Fede Valverde on Alvaro

Alvaro is emerging as one of Real Madrid’s best summer signings, after they activated his release clause from Benfica.

His status as Real’s first choice starter at left-back speaks for itself, but Alvaro is doing a little more than that.

Alvaro’s spectacular goal in Real’s win at the weekend brought comparisons to Roberto Carlos.

Speaking in the wake of Alvaro’s goal, teammate Federico Valverde claimed it was the type of strike Alvaro produces all the time in training.

Valverde told DAZN: “He has a spectacular strike. We always see it in training. He’s very eager to keep improving. He deserves it.”

Now it is very probable that Alvaro has improved in the two years since he last trained at Carrington, and grown in confidence too.

But his raw talent should have been absolutely obvious to Erik ten Hag, just as it was to Manchester United supporters who believed in him, and just wanted to see the youngster get a chance.

Alvaro left United without playing a single competitive minute for the club.

It is a decision that looks worse with every week, but was also a total puzzler at the time too, and one that United staff still point to with regret.

Ruben Amorim has decided he does not want short-term fixes in the upcoming transfer window. If Erik ten Hag took the same approach, then if he had given up on Alvaro – then at least he might have acquired a player worth buying.