Manchester United invested in a new left wing back during the January transfer window as Patrick Dorgu arrived.
Ruben Amorim’s arrival meant Manchester United switched to a 3-4-2-1 approach – and had to make a January signing.
Amorim plays with wing backs and the lack of natural options in those roles was abundantly clear.
United invested in Patrick Dorgu, landing the Danish talent from Lecce in a deal worth up to £30million.
The early signs have been strong with Dorgu certainly showing the potential to become a star of the future.
United should not be shut-off from other left wing back additions this summer though – and one of them is staring United in the face.
Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/JAR Sport Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/JAR Sport Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Alvaro Fernandez on the rise
United sold Alvaro Feranndez to Benfica last summer after a successful loan spell in Portugal.
The Spaniard had shown huge potential on loan at Preston North End during the 2022-23 season, but United were happy to cash in.
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Fernandez – also known as Alvaro Carreras – was sold for just £5million but has taken his game to another level in Portugal and is now a man in demand.
United were keen on Fernandez in January but ended up signing Dorgu instead.
Bayern Munich are now interested in Fernandez too with Benfica expected to receive considerable interest this summer.
The latest CIES Football Observatory study highlights that Fernandez is now third in terms of transfer value increase from a player outside of England, France, Germany, Italy or Spain.
United target Samu Aghehowa is top of the tree with his market value up to nearly €69million (£58million).
Palmeiras wonderkid Estevao Willian is second with Fernandez third as CIES claim that his value has gone up by €28.4million (£24million) this season.
That takes Fernandez’s market value to around £33million – a far cry from the £5million United sold him for in 2024.
Manchester United can take Real Madrid inspiration
Fernandez is certainly an exciting talent with his ability to drive forward with the ball – especially on the inside – making him somewhat unique.
The Spaniard is really developing defensively too and played well against Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal in the Champions League.
Fernandez’s Benfica contract includes a £42million release clause and that may be tempting enough if the CIES study is anything to go by.
United have a buy-back clause on Fernandez though and can bring him back to Old Trafford for around £17million – much, much less than his release clause.
United almost can’t ignore this kind of price tag and there are two trains of thought in terms of bringing Fernandez back.
The first is that Fernandez can offer great competition for Dorgu having developed as a left wing back at PNE.
Signing another quality left wing back won’t come cheap but United have a golden chance to bring Fernandez back and potentially lock down that position for years to come.
The other is that United can re-sign Fernandez and flip him for profit given the kind of money other clubs would be willing to spend.
We have seen Real Madrid go down that route in the past and with United needing to sell players to bring players in, that profit could be vital.
Either way, that Fernandez buy-back clause is really staring United in the face – and could be difficult to ignore this summer.