Manchester United have officially sold Alvaro Fernandez to Benfica on a permanent transfer.
The Portuguese side has exercised the option to purchase the player on a permanent basis after he spent the second half of the season on loan there.
Alvaro Fernandez made 16 appearances and scored once for Benfica during his loan spell, which has impressed his new manager enough to bite the bullet in a €6million (£5.1m) deal, plus an additional €3m (£2.6m) in potential add-ons.
The former Denzil Haroun Reserve-Team Player of the Year award winner departs the Red Devils having not played a single minute for the Manchester United first-team squad.
Benfica always have an eye for emerging young talent, so they clearly must see something special in Fernandez. Thankfully, the Red Devils have a buy-back clause, matching rights and a sell-on clause.
Manchester United fans reacted to the news when it broke on Sunday night. They have mixed emotions.
Manchester United fans on Alvaro Fernandez
Red Devils supporters took to X to react to the news that the Spniard would officially be leaving. They are pretty annoyed that he wasn’t given a shot around Carrington.
One said: ‘Gutted by this but at least he gets game time and we’ve got the clauses.’
Another said: ‘I think this is a mistake! Could’ve been a LB option for us.’
A third says: ‘Shame, looked very good in preseason – hope we get to use that buyback clause someday.’
‘Really wish we’d have kept him. He’s going to be one of the top LBs in a couple of years. Hope the buyback gets triggered by then,’ says another.
‘This one hurts a little ngl such a shame but I’m sure he will smash it there over time, good luck Alvaro.’
‘This is so stupid. Why insert that 6 million clause. We don’t have healthy left-backs. I was looking forward to this boy in pre-season.’
Did Manchester United let go of Alvaro Fernandez too early?
United do have the buy-back option, but there is a feeling among supporters that Fernandez could have done a job for the first-team squad next season.
With a dire situation at left-back at Old Trafford in the 23/24 campaign, Fernandez could have definitely been utilised.
It may say more about what Manchester United think of Harry Amass. Letting Fernandez go does pave the way for the English teenager to stake a claim, and potentially become Erik ten Hag’s next academy graduate to feature for the first team.
Either way, all the best to Alvaro, and hopefully he smashes it in Portugal.