Manchester United can make their first signing of the winter transfer window next week.
The Red Devils have had a disappointing first half of the season in the Premier League. They are 13th in the table with a nine-point deficit to the Champions League places.
Manager Ruben Amorim has been unable to bring a significant change in the club’s results. He could be backed with a small budget to reinforce a couple of positions this winter.
A new left wing-back is reportedly the top priority for the Portuguese. The club have an easy decision to make. They should re-sign Alvaro Fernandez from Benfica.
The United graduate was loaned out to the Portuguese outfit at the start of the year. The Lisbon club triggered the clause to sign him permanently for £5 million last summer.
The Red Devils inserted a buy-back clause worth £16m into the deal, which will stay active until 2026, according to Manchester Evening News.
The 21-year-old had a slow start to his career with Benfica, but his performances have vastly improved this season after the appointment of Bruno Lage as their new manager.
The Spaniard has been a permanent fixture in the starting XI. He has registered two goals and two assists from 23 games at left-back and has also excelled with his defensive work.
Fernandez has won 59 percent of his duels. He has made an average of 2.2 tackles, 1.9 clearances and 5.4 recoveries per game.
He has completed 56% of his dribbles with 26 passes in the opposition half per appearance.
With Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia proving to be unreliable at left wing-back, it appears a no-brainer decision to re-sign Fernandez when the transfer window reopens at the start of January.
He would be a bargain signing with the progress made during his time with Benfica.
Fernandez, who has a release clause worth £42 million for other clubs, has experience as a left wing-back, having played a full season on loan at Preston North End in the position.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com.
Article written by Sri Aswin .
