Alvaro Fernandez is good enough for Real Madrid – but not good enough for Manchester United.
Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has a serious case of mismanagement to answer for over his decision to snub Alvaro Fernandez.
Fernandez was taken on the US tour in 2023 but was only used with reserve players in the friendly against Wrexham.
And then amid a left-back crisis due to injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, Ten Hag decided not to give Fernandez a chance.
He sent Fernandez out on loan, and loaned in journeyman Sergio Reguilon. And at times he even opted to play midfielder Sofyan Amrabat at left-back.
Alvaro Fernandez playing for Benfica
Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/JAR Sport Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Alvaro Fernandez now heading to Real Madrid
While Sergio Reguilon is currently battling to find a club as a free agent following his release from Tottenham, Alvaro Fernandez is heading to Real Madrid.
Real Madrid are negotiating to tie up a deal with Benfica worth £43 million, with United set to land £8.6 million as a sell-on fee.
This emphasises the huge mistake Erik ten Hag made over Fernandez, who is considered good enough for one of the top tier clubs in Spain, and not good enough for Manchester United.
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Madrid’s decision to spend £43 million on Fernandez shows how highly they rate the youngster, who United pried away from their academy in 2020.
Erik ten Hag has a lot to answer for his decision-making, along with John Murtough, United’s Football Director who oversaw Fernandez’s loan to Granada.
Ten Hag and Murtough have since had their marching orders, and are no longer at the club.
But the decision to sell Fernandez rested above them.
Ineos signed off Alvaro Fernandez exit
Ineos must bear their share of responsibility for Alvaro Fernandez’s exit from Manchester United.
Their partial takeover of Manchester United was confirmed in late December 2023, while Fernandez was on loan at Granada.
During this time, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Dave Brailsford were active, seen at Old Trafford and Carrington as Ineos took command of Manchester United’s football operations.
On January 17 2024, Manchester United cut short Fernandez’s loan to Granada, and agreed a new loan to send him to Benfica.
This was despite the fact Sergio Reguilon’s loan had been terminated, with Tyrell Malacia no closer to a first team return. Luke Shaw was fit at this point – but broke down with a season-ending injury three weeks later.
Ineos agreed the loan to Benfica with a crucial stipulation: if Fernandez played in 50 per cent of the games, the Portuguese club could purchase him for just £5 million.
This deal also agreed the sell-on clause that United are set to benefit from financially – but at this point, Ineos lost some control of Fernandez’s future.
Benfica gladly scooped him on a permanent basis after he impressed, going on to star in the Champions League for the club last season.
There is no doubt Erik ten Hag made crucial errors of judgment with Fernandez, choosing not to give him a single minute of playing time for the club, despite some promising loan spells. But there is plenty of blame to go around.
Ineos were supposed to make smart football decisions, but this was one where they got it completely wrong almost straight away.