It is no secret that, if Manchester United are to pursue the sort of incomings Ineos are looking for, then a few outgoings would come in very handy at the Premier League giants.
Whether they are true or not, reports suggesting that only ten players are safe from the axe this summer speaks volumes about how the Red Devils‘ new decision-makers are viewing this rather ramshackle, imbalanced squad.
If not no one, then certainly very few are ‘guaranteed’ to be plying their trade at Old Trafford next term, Kobbie Mainoo, Alejando Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund and Andre Onana among those able to sleep easily over the coming months.
Raphael Varane’s departure – confirmed by Manchester United last week – felt like the beginning of the exodus. Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Sofyan Amrabat will almost certainly join him, while Anthony Martial’s contract is due to expire after this weekend’s FA Cup final rematch with Man City at Wembley.
Offers will be considered, too, for Jadon Sancho, Donny van de Beek, Hannibal Mejbri and maybe Facundo Pellistri too when they return from loan.
But while the sale of Alvaro Fernandez will not free up enough funds for Man United to splash out heavily on, say, a Jarrad Branthwaite or a Michael Olise, the phrase ‘every little help’ comes to mind.
Manchester United could sell Alvaro Fernandez today
Benfica signed Fernandez – or Alvaro Carreras as he is known in Portugal – on a short-term basis in the January transfer window. The Portuguese giants did include an option-to-buy clause in that arrangement, however.
And, after a slow start to life in Lisbon, the Spain under-21 international now appears to have earned himself a long-term stay at the Stadio da Luz, having belatedly proving his worth to head coach Roger Schmidt.
“Benfica trigger buy option clause for Alvaro Fernandez,” Fabrizio Romano writes on X, backing up previous claims made by Mais Futebol. “Deal completed today. Alvaro signs with Benfica for the next five years.
“Manchester United will receive fee in the region of 6 million euros.”
Interestingly, Romano adds that Man United will have the option to bring Fernandez back to Old Trafford should they opt to do so in the future. The former Preston North End loanee will also earn United a sizeable windfall if he goes from strength-to-strength in Portugal before leaving Benfica for a substantial sum somewhere down the line.
Benfica-bound left-back ‘can be a great player’
“I see him as a mentally strong player and I believe he reacts well when he doesn’t have many minutes. I had conversations with him at Granada about this,” Paco Lopez, who worked with Fernandez in the first half of 2023/24 in La Liga, tells A Bola.
“He knows there are aspects to improve, and he will definitely improve. I believe he has a very promising future. Alvaro Carreras is a player with a lot of offensive talent.
“He is a technically very evolved player. Plays well on the wing, links well with his team-mates, has a good pass. Technically, for a full-back, he is a player with a lot of quality,” Lopez adds.
“But, of course, he is still young and has to complete his growth process and improve some defensive aspects. It’s a matter of working and being patient with him.
“With work and dedication, I believe he can be a great player. I believe that over time he can be an important player for any team. Alvaro is young and clearly has a promising future, I am convinced of that.”
