“Ten Hag didn’t count on me…” – Man United youngster explains summer loan move

Alvaro Fernandez has detailed the reasonings behind his loan move from Manchester United to Granada in the summer transfer window.

Fernandez, 20, has been one of the most highly-rated players within United’s academy setup since he joined the club from Real Madrid in the summer of 2020.

The left-back won the Reserve Team Player of the Year for the 2021/22 campaign and spent the last season on loan at Championship club Preston North End.

This term, both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia suffered injury setbacks early into the season. Shaw returned to action at the end of November, whilst Malacia is expected back in early 2024.

That left United without a recognised senior left-back, and whilst many assumed that Fernandez would be gifted a chance by Erik ten Hag, he was instead sent on loan to Granada with Sergio Reguilon coming into the club on a loan deal.

Speaking about the details of the loan deal, the Spanish youngster explained that one of the reasons was because Ten Hag couldn’t ‘count on’ him but he stresses that succeeding at Old Trafford is his long-term goal.

“I sat down to talk, but as Gines (Carvajal, his agent) was at a distance, it was a bit more complicated,” Fernandez told The Athletic. “In the end, it was done at the last minute.

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

Fernandez has played ten times for Granada this term, with five of those appearances coming from the bench.