Man Utd target speaks out on Old Trafford transfer after THH confirms interest

Benfica left-back Alvaro Fernandez Carreras has addressed the idea of returning to Manchester United after Erik ten Hag recently confirmed the club's interest in the 21-year-old defender.

Carrington academy graduate Fernandez has hit the ground running in Lisbon after completing a £5million switch to Benfica at the end of last season following a successful loan spell.

United have a buy-back clause, reportedly worth in the region of £16m, and also have matching rights and a sell-on clause which would entitle them to future profit.

And speaking after Benfica's 3-1 Champions League defeat to Feyenoord on Wednesday, Fernandez was asked about the prospect of returning to Old Trafford as speculation begins to intensify.

He told Portuguese outlet Record : “I only think about Benfica. I’m only focused here. I’ll try to keep up the same level, try to help the team as much as possible. I’m just another player on the team.

“Not scoring, that’s really important to win. We had everything well planned. We weren’t surprised by Feyenoord. We knew how they played, quick counter-attacks, but like I said, let’s think about the future, the next game, which is on Sunday.”

Fernandez also has a release clause written into his Benfica contract said to be worth around £42m but United can seemingly land their former player for a much cheaper figure amid their ongoing fitness struggles at left-back.

The Spain U21 international failed to break into the Untied first-team despite catching the eye on loan at Preston North End and Granada, respectively.

However, speaking last week, United boss Ten Hag confirmed the club are interested in triggering their buy-back clause.

The Dutchman said: “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.”