Manchester United once had an ideal solution for their left-back position but now find themselves unable to afford him.
In Search of a New No. 3
The departure of Alvaro Fernandez from Manchester United has been described as “perfect” by Erik ten Hag, but many see it as anything but. The club sold a capable left-back without giving him a proper chance, and he’s now excelling in Portugal while United struggle to fill the role.
Tyrell Malacia, one of the team’s primary options, has been substituted in three of his four starts this season and was left out of the squad entirely for the match against Wolves. Meanwhile, Luke Shaw hasn’t started a club game in almost a year, leaving United with a glaring hole on the left side of their defense.
In contrast, Fernandez, who was United’s first sale of the summer, has become a crucial player for Benfica. He’s started all six of their Champions League games and 13 out of 16 league matches, proving himself at the highest level.
A Missed Opportunity
The decision to let Fernandez go without ever granting him a first-team debut has baffled many. During the 2023 preseason, Brandon Williams, despite being told he was up for sale, was prioritized over Fernandez. Williams was later released without the club recouping a fee.
Fernandez had demonstrated his potential during a loan spell at Preston North End, where he was named the club’s Young Player of the Year. Despite Malacia’s long-term injury and Shaw’s recurring fitness issues, United chose to bring in Sergio Reguilon on loan—an option many now consider one of their worst left-back acquisitions. Fernandez was instead loaned to Granada.
Defensive Struggles
In the absence of Shaw and Malacia, makeshift solutions have included using right-backs like Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui, as well as out-of-position players such as Victor Lindelof and Sofyan Amrabat. Ten Hag’s decisions regarding the left-back role—such as buying Malacia, loaning Reguilon, and selling Fernandez—have drawn criticism.
One notable decision was including 17-year-old Harry Amass in the first-team squad during preseason, only for him to be sidelined once the competitive season began. Amass hasn’t made his debut yet, despite being named on the bench in recent matches.
Fernandez’s Potential
At just 21 years old, Fernandez would have been an obvious choice for the role. Coaches who worked with him at United are still puzzled as to why he wasn’t given more opportunities. Throughout his four years at the club, Fernandez’s professionalism matched his talent.
He arrived in Manchester during the COVID-19 pandemic, adapting quickly with the help of video calls and support from fellow Spaniards in the academy. His commitment was evident when he celebrated United’s FA Youth Cup victory in 2022, even though he wasn’t eligible to play.
Despite earning individual accolades such as the Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year award, Fernandez was only sparsely used under Ten Hag. His performances in preseason games hinted at his potential, but he was never fully integrated into the squad.
A Costly Error
Ten Hag defended the decision to sell Fernandez, pointing to the buy-back clause United included in the deal. However, the £16 million clause isn’t an option the club can afford to exercise this month without offloading either Shaw or Malacia—both of whom would be difficult to sell.
This supposed “perfect process” has left United without a reliable left-back and struggling to justify their decisions. Fernandez, meanwhile, continues to shine elsewhere, leaving fans wondering what might have been.
