Man Utd have transfer agreement in place which could be a godsend for Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag has been without an out-and-out left-back for what seems like an eternity. In right-footers Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui, Manchester United have perfectly capable deputies, but the team's balance would undoubtedly improve with a natural left-sided option.
Luke Shaw has not played a single game this season due to injury, while Tyrell Malacia has not played a single game since the campaign before last. The pair's patchy fitness records have forced Ten Hag to improvise, and though the absence of an orthodox left-back is not the only reason for United's recent struggles, it will not have helped the Dutchman as he scrambles to keep hold of his job.
Related articles England interim boss Lee Carsley explains snubbing Maguire and Maddison Man Utd 'braced for two Alejandro Garnacho bids' as INEOS set curious price tagSome Red Devils fans were mystified when the club sold Alvaro Fernandez to Benfica for just £5million this summer. The 21-year-old is a Spanish Under-21 international with experience in the Championship and La Liga, as well as Real Madrid's youth teams.
A left-back through and through, Fernandez, who spent last season on loan at Benfica before the move was made permanent, is settling into life overseas. And the Portuguese press were bowled over by his performance in Wednesday night's 4-0 demolition of Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
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Alvaro Fernandez excelled against Atletico Madrid this week (Image: Getty) Stay up-to-date with the latest Man Utd news Join us on WhatsAppOur community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Meanwhile O Jogo wrote: "In defence, he barely made any mistakes and won back several balls. In attack, he added depth to the flank and was an important support for the attack."
Thankfully for Ten Hag, United's transfer team was smart enough to insert a number of clauses into the deal which took Fernandez to Benfica, one of which being an agreement for the club to buy him back for an undisclosed, fixed fee, should they desire.
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Related articles Erik ten Hag snaps at Benni McCarthy after ex-Man Utd coach pours fuel onto fire Ruud van Nistelrooy and Erik ten Hag already have opinions on 'Liverpool target'United can also match any bid made by a rival suitor if it falls below that fixed fee. On top of that, they negotiated a sell-on clause in case Fernandez moves elsewhere further down the line, although further injury issues for Shaw and Malacia could prompt Ten Hag to consider bringing him back to Old Trafford.
Fernandez left the Red Devils without making a senior appearance. But given the problems United are experiencing in his favoured left-back position, his flashes of brilliance in Portugal, and the tendency for Shaw and Malacia to miss games, the fact those clauses exist could, at some point, prove to be a godsend for Ten Hag.
Man Utd have transfer agreement in place which could be a godsend for Erik ten Hag
Man Utd have transfer agreement in place which could be a godsend for Erik ten Hag
Man Utd have transfer agreement in place which could be a godsend for Erik ten Hag
Man Utd have transfer agreement in place which could be a godsend for Erik ten Hag
Man Utd have transfer agreement in place which could be a godsend for Erik ten Hag
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