Real Madrid ready to pounce on Erik ten Hag mistake with Manchester United star

Real Madrid are ready to pounce on one of Erik ten Hag’s biggest mistakes with one Manchester United star.

It has been over a month since the 2024 summer transfer window slammed shut and Manchester United managed to get some solid business over the line.

Five first-team players were added to Erik ten Hag’s squad, with over £200 million being spent on the likes of Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro.

While the long-term success of those additions is yet to be discovered, United also had to sell in order to buy in the summer and that led to many departures.

Scott McTominay, Jadon Sancho and Aaron Wan-Bissaka were the most notable exits, but Alvaro Fernandez move to Benfica was a key moment for the club.

The Spaniard spent the latter half of last season on loan at the Portuguese club with an option to buy in the deal. United were without a first-team left-back for the majority of that period.

Ten Hag’s decision to not integrate the defender and instead sell him caused a stir within sections of the United fanbase and while Harry Amass is another talented left-sided defender coming through, it is clear that he is not yet ready for regular first-team involvement.

And while United have struggled without a left-back so far this term, with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia still out of action, Fernandez has been going from strength to strength in Portugal.

He was one of the standout performers in the Champions League earlier this month in their 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid and has started Benfica’s last seven fixtures.

As he quickly becomes an important player for the Champions League outfit, other clubs are beginning to sniff around the player who once proclaimed his “main objective” was to succeed at Old Trafford.

According to a new report from OJogo, the Spanish giants Real Madrid are tracking the progress of Alvaro Fernandez, with lots of other top clubs interested in the left-back.

This follows recent reports that stated United were also considering a move for the 21-year-old despite selling him a matter of months ago.

Fernandez departed for Benfica in the summer for around £5 million but the Reds placed three important clauses in the deal.

United have a buyback clause as well as a matching rights clause, both giving a realistic option for a possible return to Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, a sell-on clause was also inserted, meaning the club will financially benefit should another club like Real Madrid sign the defender.

Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is released every Wednesday at 6 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.