ETH admits interest in Benfica star Alvaro Fernandez with contract clause

Erik ten Hag maintains that Manchester United are keeping tabs on Alvaro Fernandez - who left the club for Benfica.

Fernandez moved to Old Trafford as a 16-year-old from Real Madrid and made his way through the academy into the first-team squad via spells on loan at Preston in the Championship and then with Spanish outfit Granada. He failed to make his debut however.

In search of regular football he joined Benfica on loan last January and the Portuguese giants activated an option to sign him permanently for just £5million in May. Fernandez has since established himself as a key player this season in Lisbon but United retain the option of a buy-back clause.

As a result, they've kept a watchful eye as Fernandez continues his development. United's own left-back options are limited with Luke Shaw, their first choice when fit, often spending time on the sidelines. Ten Hag though has underlined the need to play regularly before taking on the challenge of playing in Manchester.

He 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.”

United have been willing to give young players an opportunity in the first team. Kobbie Mainoo is the greatest example of that during Ten Hag's tenure with the midfielder becoming a regular with club and country following a breakout season.

Fernandez though was forced to head elsewhere despite previously being vocal about his desire to eventually make the grade in Manchester. United's recruitment and retention has long been criticised and, despite the arrival of new decision makers, their summer decisions are yet to bear fruit.