Alvaro Fernandez has already suggested one change needed for Manchester United return

Benfica fullback Alvaro Fernandez has already suggested one change needed for a possible return to Manchester United.

Alvaro Fernandez joined Manchester United in 2020 at the same time as the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Charlie McNeill.

He immediately impressed in the Under-23s side and then won their Player of the Year award in the 2021/22 campaign.

The Spaniard went from strength to strength, going on loan to Championship side Preston North End and winning their Young Player of the Year award.

Fernandez was rewarded with a place on the 2023 pre-season and impressed in those games, which made it seem like he was set to be given a chance in the first-team squad, especially after Tyrell Malacia suffered long-term injury.

However, the defender was instead sent out on another loan to Spanish side Granada, where he barely featured before a January switch to Benfica. He departed United without a single first-team appearance.

Since then, the Spanish left-back has become a key player for Benfica, featuring in nine matches this season and starting seven.

His impressive performances have now drawn attention from his former club, as well as other top European sides, including Liverpool and Real Madrid. United also have a buyback clause inserted in his deal at a much cheaper price (£16m) than his £41 million release clause.

Speaking about his United situation to The Athletic in December last year, Fernandez made it clear that his main objective was to return to Old Trafford and succeed there.

However, despite recent reports suggesting a return to the club could be on the cards, the 21-year-old defender also mentioned that Erik ten Hag “didn’t count on me” and that could be a potential issue in any deal despite the clauses United placed in his Benfica contract.

“What message did United give me? That I should go out on loan, that Ten Hag didn’t count on me,” Fernandez detailed.

“I should continue to gain experience, rhythm, and we’ll see what happens in the future. But it’s clear that football doesn’t end at any club and that you have to keep working.

“My main objective is to return to United and make a place for myself there.”

Should United look to bring Fernandez back to the club, one of two things seem like they’d need to happen for him to be satisfied with a return.

Either Ten Hag departs the club and a new manager is at the helm, which seems a possibility at the moment, or the Dutch manager offers clear assurances to the talented defender.

Right now, with both Luke Shaw and Malacia being liabilities, a move to bring back Fernandez might be slightly embarrassing for those at Old Trafford, but it would make sense.

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