Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Manchester United transfer news: Red Devils confirm permanent exit of defender

sportsmole.co.uk, 26 May 2024, 22:04
Manchester United have confirmed their first transfer of the summer window with the permanent exit of an out-of-favour defender.

Spanish left-back Alvaro Fernandez spent three years in the Real Madrid youth system from 2017 to 2020 before being snapped up by the Red Devils, who signed him on a free transfer.

Fernandez hit the ground running in the Man United youth setup - proving his worth as an attacking left-back - and he made the Red Devils' bench for their last four games of the 2023-24 Premier League season under Ralf Rangnick.

The 21-year-old subsequently enjoyed a strong loan spell at Preston North End in the 2022-23 season, coming up with six assists in 42 matches for the Championship club, but he did not do enough to get into Erik ten Hag's good books.

Instead, Fernandez has spent time on loan with Spanish side Granada and Portuguese giants Benfica this season, making 16 appearances for the latter and contributing one goal and one assist.

Benfica trigger option to buy Fernandez

Benfica and Man United's loan agreement for Fernandez also included a permanent option, and on Sunday evening, the Red Devils confirmed that the Portuguese outfit had exercised that right.

Fernandez has penned a five-year contract with the Eagles until the summer of 2029, and Man United are expected to receive around €6m (£5.1m) for the sale of the Spain Under-21 international.

"I'm very happy for the trust they've placed in me. I've wanted to keep wearing this jersey ever since I arrived, and I want to say thank you next year by fighting for every possible title with the support of the fans," Fernandez told the official Benfica website.

Meanwhile, Man United's statement also included a well-wish to the defender, saying: "Everyone at United would like to wish Alvaro all the best of luck in the future and will be keeping an eye on his progress."

Fernandez leaves Man United without ever making a competitive appearance for the Red Devils' first team, and he only made one of Ten Hag's matchday squads in August's 3-2 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest.

Which players could depart alongside Fernandez?

While Fernandez is the first player to leave Man United for another club this summer, the Red Devils have already confirmed that Raphael Varane will be departing when his contract expires at the end of next month.

Injury-riddled striker Anthony Martial and out-of-favour defender Brandon Williams are expected to follow suit, and it is unclear whether veteran pair Tom Heaton and Jonny Evans will be offered the chance to stay on, but the former is supposedly keen to extend.

However, Sofyan Amrabat's loan move from Fiorentina should not be made permanent, while fellow midfielders Christian Eriksen, Casemiro and Donny van de Beek are all on the chopping block too.

Further forward, neither Jadon Sancho nor Mason Greenwood have a future at Old Trafford, while the futures of Hannibal Mejbri and Facundo Pellistri - on loan at Sevilla and Granada respectively - are clouded in uncertainty.

Bids will likely be entertained for Antony and Aaron Wan-Bissaka too, but the biggest question undoubtedly surrounds the future of head coach Ten Hag, allegedly set to be sacked in spite of Saturday's FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.

Top News

17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa have reportedly identified a player who they view as a potential replacement for Jhon Duran. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly risking the possibility of not being able to sell Armando Broja during the summer transfer window. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Hungary head coach Marco Rossi is still sweating over a pair of fitness doubts ahead of Wednesday's Euro 2024 Group A clash with Germany in Stuttgart. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Capable of sealing qualification for the Euro 2024 knockout stages with a game to spare, hosts Germany square off with Hungary in Wednesday's Group A battle at the MHPArena in Stuttgart. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk FC Cincinnati play host to Philadelphia Union on Wednesday evening looking for the win that would see them at least keep pace with Eastern Conference leaders Inter Miami. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal may reportedly be presented with an opportunity to sign a player who endured a calamitous spell at Liverpool during the summer transfer window. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to extend their winning run to three matches, an in-form Charlotte FC will welcome strugglers Orlando City to the Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday night for a MLS clash of massive importance. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich are reportedly not inclined to meet Chelsea's financial demands for one of their defenders. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England manager Gareth Southgate has given an update on Kieran Tripper's fitness after Sunday's Euro 2024 fixture against Serbia. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The transfer window is open! Clubs around the UK and Europe are getting business done as they look to give themselves the best possible chance at success in the new season. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Romania vs. Ukraine (Monday, 2.00pm) With the waiting finally over, Group E rivals Romania and Ukraine will kick off their Euro 2024 campaigns on Monday afternoon in Munich. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The feature matchup on Wednesday in Major League Soccer will see the Supporters' Shield leaders, Inter Miami, face the reigning MLS Cup champions, the Columbus Crew, at Chase Stadium. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has revealed the club spoke to Thomas Tuchel about the manager's position. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England midfielder Jude Bellingham eclipsed Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Owen in Sunday's 1-0 victory over Serbia at Euro 2024. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England midfielder Jude Bellingham eclipsed Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Owen in Sunday's 1-0 victory over Serbia at Euro 2024. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly been named as the Premier League club that had a bid rejected for Lille defender Leny Yoro. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Jude Bellingham and Marc Guehi were the standout players for England, as the Three Lions opened their Euro 2024 campaign with a 1-0 success over Serbia on Sunday night. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England made the perfect start to their Euro 2024 campaign on Sunday evening, recording a 1-0 victory over Serbia courtesy of a first-half header from Jude Bellingham. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham scored the only goal of the match as England recorded a 1-0 victory over Serbia in their opening fixture of Euro 2024 on Sunday night. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly prepared to offer two players in a bid to sign Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Levi Colwill is reportedly prepared to consider a potential move to Bayern Munich. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly prepared to offer Pep Guardiola a pay rise to extend his contract beyond the end of next season. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Denmark began their Euro 2024 campaign with a frustrating result as Erik Janza netted a 77th-minute equaliser to rescue a point for Slovenia in Stuttgart. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Belgium will be heading into Monday's Euro 2024 fixture against Slovakia having put together a 17-match streak. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Cristiano Ronaldo has said that the current Portugal "generation" deserve to win a European Championship. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Raphael Varane and Casemiro were allegedly two Manchester United players to question the approach of head coach Erik ten Hag over the last two seasons at Old Trafford. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly interested in a reunion with Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Valencia have allegedly launched a £25m offer for Mason Greenwood, with the Manchester United forward keen to make a permanent move to Spain during this summer's transfer window. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Jack Grealish is reportedly open to discussing a move away from Manchester City during this summer's transfer window after struggling for form during the 2023-24 campaign. 16 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly set to loan one of their teenage starlets out to Belgium for the 2024-25 season.