A new chapter has begun for former Manchester United wonderkid Alvaro Fernandez.
Four La Liga imports joined Manchester United’s academy in 2019 and 2020, and they have had differing fortunes.
2022 FA Youth Cup winner Marc Jurado is now playing for Cartagena, with Mateo Mejia making his debut for Burgos last weekend.
Alejandro Garnacho has thrown his promising start away and is now an outcast at United, destined for an exit if a club decides to pay the fee requirements.
The clear winner is Alvaro Fernandez, who began the 2025/26 season as Real Madrid’s first choice left-back.
Real re-signed Fernandez in the summer for £43 million after a stint at Benfica, with Manchester United receiving a sell-on fee in the process.
Alvaro Fernandez plays a pass for Real Madrid
Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Alvaro Fernandez makes Real Madrid La Liga debut
Real Madrid kicked off their La Liga campaign against Osasuna on August 19, and began with a 1-0 victory, via a Kylian Mbappe penalty.
Alvaro Fernandez, now referred to as Alvaro Carreras by the Spanish media, started the game at left-back and played all 90 minutes.
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Fernandez created two goalscoring chances and completed 89 per cent of his passes, 89 of 99 attempts.
He attempted two shots at goal, one off target and one blocked, making 123 touches in total.
Most importantly he was part of a defence that kept a clean sheet, featuring a new-look back four with Eder Militao, Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Alvaro Fernandez performed better than Trent Alexander-Arnold, who failed to complete the 90 minutes, hooked in the 68th.
Spanish newspaper AS praised the former Manchester United man, who never managed to make his Red Devils first team debut.
The outlet wrote: “His work on the left flank was immeasurable, although his efforts went unrewarded. He’s gradually establishing himself in that position, where he combines wide and central play.”
Mundo Deportivo gave a positive appraisal, commenting: “He was more on the attack than on defence, always offering himself to his teammates.”
El Confidencial wrote: “Trent Alexander-Arnold, another league debutant, looked timid, and it was Carreras who offered solutions from the opposite flank.”
Manchester United’s treatment of Alvaro remains a mystery, with the promising left-back turfed out by Erik ten Hag, when the club were crying out for left-backs.
Ineos must share some blame too, by allowing a purchase option in his loan with Benfica, but thankfully had the sense to add a sell-on fee.
With no other sales this summer, the Alvaro sell-on may have genuinely helped United’s incoming business this summer.