Alvaro Fernandez breaks silence on Manchester United return links after Erik ten Hag comment

Alvaro Fernandez has broken his silence on links to a potential return to Manchester United after Erik ten Hag’s latest comments on him.

Fernandez, also known as Carreras, has been impressing at Benfica this season following his move from Old Trafford last summer, attracting interest from several top clubs.

Manchester United are among those monitoring his progress, with Erik ten Hag confirming the club is closely watching their former Academy player, who has a buyback clause in his contract.

United have struggled at left-back over the past two seasons due to injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, and Fernandez could be a viable solution to fill that gap.

Ten Hag admits United are monitoring Fernandez

When speaking to the media last week, Ten Hag was asked about the prospect of Fernandez returning to the club.

The manager admitted that they are monitoring his progress in Portugal but did warn that there is a difference when needing to perform in the Premier League.

“I think the process is perfect. We loan him to Preston, he got back, then we loan him to Granada, he didn’t play so much there, and of course we, all the time, observed him and now we had the opportunity to sell him,” the manager said in his latest press conference.

“But we have a buy-back [clause] so we have control of the situation, I think that’s what he needed.

“From Preston, then go to La Liga, go to Portugal [with Benfica], every time stepping up to a higher club and a better league.

“Now we have to see and assess the situation if he can be an option for us. But playing at Man United is not so easy, playing in the Premier League for Manchester United is not so easy.

“You need experience, also development. You get development from playing for better clubs and in better leagues.”

Alvaro Fernandez breaks silence on United links

Fernandez was asked about a potential return to United this week but the defender stressed that he remains focused on his current team.

Fernandez told Record: “I only think about Benfica. I’m only focused here. I’ll try to keep up the same level, try to help the team as much as possible. I’m just another player on the team.”

He has made 11 appearances so far this season in all competitions, with nine of those being starts.

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