Manchester United have confirmed that young full-back Alvaro Fernandez has joined Portuguese side Benfica on loan until the end of the season.
The 20-year-old had spent the first half of the campaign on loan with Spanish side Grenada. He was recalled to Old Trafford earlier in the window after a break clause in the loan deal was activated.
United have now confirmed that the defender has gone straight back out on loan, joining Portuguese side Benfica until the end of the season. Manchester Evening News understands that there was set to be an option to buy included in the deal, meaning that the move could potentially be made permanent in the summer transfer window.
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The left-back has been with United since joining from Real Madrid in September 2020. He won the Denzil Haroun Reserve-Team Player of the Year award in 2022.
Pre-season saw Fernandez play a part with United’s first team, starting four of the club’s friendly games as they stepped up preparation for the new season. He set up Marc Jurado’s goal in the friendly against Wrexham played in San Diego.
The full-back spent last season on loan with Championship side Preston North End, helping them to finish 12th in the league. He impressed in the second tier, making a total of 42 appearances in all competitions.
Following his recall from Grenada, Fernandez took to Instagram to send a message to the club’s fans. “My stay in Granada was special but not as long as we all hoped,” he wrote.
“It was a real pleasure to represent this club and I will always be grateful to the fans and the club
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