Roland Cutinho
Young full-back Alvaro Fernandez wants to fight for his place at Manchester United
Manchester United full-back Alvaro Fernandez has expressed his desire to remain at Old Trafford for the upcoming season, despite receiving interest from several Championship clubs.
Last season, Fernandez enjoyed a successful loan spell at Preston, where he showcased his talent and was awarded the club’s Young Player of the Year award. However, the 20-year-old’s preference is to continue his journey with United.
Preston had hoped to bring the full-back back to the Championship, but the player has made it clear that he won’t be returning. Instead, he has expressed his desire to remain at Old Trafford and compete for a spot in the club’s first team.
Fernandez has high hopes of achieving success with United in the upcoming season. However, he also admits that, in the long run, the idea of returning to his homeland, Spain, could be tempting.
As quoted by AS, he said:
“My goal is hopefully I can stay in the United first team. And if that happens, hopefully, I can help and lift a trophy, which is what the club, the fans and everyone want. If it doesn’t happen and I have to go out on loan, then keep working hard, earn more minutes and keep growing.”
“In the end, I am 20 years old and what I want is to play. But if it can be at United much better. I’m great in England, it’s true, but that door is always open to return to Spain in the future.”
The young defender left Real Madrid to join United, along with fellow Spanish talents Marc Jurado from Barcelona and Alejandro Garnacho from Atletico Madrid, in 2020.
While Garnacho has already made it to the first-team squad, Fernandez aims to follow a similar path after his impressive loan spell at Preston last season.
The player will be determined to showcase his abilities and convince coach Erik ten Hag that he is ready to compete for first-team opportunities in the upcoming season.
The skilled fullback made 42 appearances for Preston during his loan spell and provided six assists.
He surely understands the importance of balancing ambition with realism. While he would prefer to stay at Old Trafford, he admits that breaking into the first team will be challenging.
Currently, the left-back position is occupied by Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia. Given the competition for that position, another loan move might be the best option for the Spaniard’s continued development.
Fernandez‘s talent has been acknowledged and appreciated by the coaching staff at Old Trafford after he received the Denzil Haroun Reserve-Team Player of the Year award in 2022.
They now have the responsibility of finding the ideal club for the fullback to continue his development next season.
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If Fernandez can have a good impact on loan at Preston North End, it would bode well for his future at Old Trafford, suggesting a bright and promising career ahead.
