Ex-Man Utd youngster discusses making return after Erik ten Hag revealed transfer clause
Manchester United sanctioned Alvaro Fernandez's move to Benfica in the summer, but their own issues at left-back has fuelled speculation they may attempt to re-sign him
Alvaro Fernandez says he has no plans to return to Manchester United in January amid speculation linking him with a move back to Old Trafford.
The talented left-back, 21, quit United in the summer to join Benfica after failing to break into Erik ten Hag 's plans at the club. However, United have since been left short in Fernandez's position with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia sidelined.
While Malacia is now on the cusp of a first-team return, Fernandez's fine form in Portugal has led to speculation that United could attempt to re-sign him in January given they included a buy-back option in the £5million deal that took him overseas.
But the defender has poured cold water on that theory, telling Marca : “I have people close to me and they are the ones who look at it more. To be honest, I don’t pay much attention to it.
“I’m focused on what I have to do because I have a game every three days. It’s always nice to have teams call you and everyone wants to grow, but I’m doing very well here. United have a signed purchase option, but I’m very happy here.
“I have a five-year contract with Benfica. I want to win titles and continue to grow personally, as I am still only 21 years old. I want to win, whether it is with Spain or with Benfica, to continue to grow.”
While Fernandez failed to make a senior appearance for United before joining Benfica, Ten Hag revealed that the defender would still be monitored by the club.
Join the debate! Did Man Utd get it wrong by selling Fernandez? Let us know here.
Speaking before his own United exit last month, Ten Hag kept the door open for Fernandez to make a sensational return, saying: “I think the process is perfect. We loan him to Preston, he got back, then we loan him to Granada, he didn't play so much there, and of course we, all the time, observed him and now we had the opportunity to sell him.
“But we have a buy-back [clause] so we have control of the situation, I think that's what he needed. From Preston, then go to La Liga, go to Portugal [with Benfica], every time stepping up to a higher club and a better league. Now we have to see and assess the situation if he can be an option for us.
“But playing at Man United is not so easy, playing in the Premier League for Manchester United is not so easy. You need experience, also development. You get development from playing for better clubs and in better leagues.”
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