Manchester United supporters all gave the same take after watching Benfica against Barcelona in the Champions League.
Of course, United are not in Europe’s premier competition this season and have had to settle for a spot in the Europa League having qualified due to winning the FA Cup in 2024. They will take on Rangers at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.
However, a former United star has impressed fans with an impeccable performance for Benfica against Barca at the Estádio da Luz.
Advert
The Lisbon-based side welcomed Hansi Flick’s Barcelona on Tuesday evening and got off to a flying start when Vangelis Pavlidis put the home side ahead after finishing a pinpoint cross from former United man Alvaro Fernandez.
Of course, Fernandez, 21, joined United from Real Madrid in 2020 penning a four-year deal at the Red Devils. He regularly trained with the first team during the 2021/22 season and was a regular for the Under-23s side securing the club’s Under-23s Player of the Year award.
The Spaniard was then loaned to Preston North End in the summer of 2022 where he further impressed. The left-back was then loaned to La Liga outfit Granada in September before being recalled by United the following January. In the same month, he joined Benfica initially on loan until the end of the 2023/24 season.
Fernandez, who is a Spain Under-21s international, then penned a permanent deal at the Portuguese club in May 2024 reportedly worth around £5m.
And less than a year after he left United, fans already think the club should trigger their buy-back option.
According to reports from the Express, the club have several options regarding Fernandez with the clause believed to be around £16m and they possess a sell-on clause for future profits.
The 21-year-old’s current Benfica contract is set to run until June 2029 but fans on social think United should do everything they can to re-sign the left-back.
One fan said: "We should activate his buy back clause instead of going for Dorgu."
Another added: "Don’t know the reason why we should be making a signing of £40m when we can just buy back Alvaro for £16m."
A third explained: "I will never understand Man Utd letting him leave when we haven’t had a LB for 20+ months."
While a fourth commented: "Why don't bring him back? As I said before, it's so bad to sell him! I really doubt their decision!"
Topics: Manchester United, Transfer News, Premier League, Europa League, Alvaro Fernandez, Barcelona, Benfica
Luke Davies