UNITED AIMING FOR GYOKERES?
The latest round of fixtures in Portugal’s Primeira Liga provided plenty of drama, with Ruben Amorim's emotional farewell from Sporting CP, but it was Benfica and Porto who stole the limelight in the title race.
Amorim, after a long and successful tenure at Sporting, signed off in style with a 4-2 comeback victory at Braga. However, a couple of hours later, Benfica made a statement of their own by thumping Porto 4-1, sending a clear message that a three-way title race could be in the making.
One of the stars of Benfica’s performance was the young Spanish left-back, Álvaro Fernández Carreras. The 21-year-old added another goal to his growing tally, scoring for the second consecutive league match. With two goals and two assists in 16 appearances this season, Fernández is beginning to show the kind of form that has captured the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs. His rise has certainly not gone unnoticed, and he has now been linked with a potential move to both Real Madrid and Liverpool, with the latter reportedly eyeing him as a long-term successor to Andy Robertson. However, Manchester United, his former club, may hold a trump card in the form of a buy-back clause, which could allow them to bring him back to Old Trafford.
Fernández arrived at Manchester United in 2020 from Real Madrid but never made a first-team appearance. After several loan spells, including a move to the Portuguese giants in January 2024, United sold him permanently to Benfica in the summer for £5 million, with an additional £2.5 million in add-ons. However, the deal included a sell-on clause and a buy-back option, rumored to be around £17 million and valid until the end of the summer 2026 window. This means that United could re-sign Fernández if they choose, and this clause may play a significant role in any potential move.
Given his recent performances for Benfica in both domestic league and Champions League action, Fernández is increasingly becoming one of the most promising left-backs in European football. His attacking quality, work rate, and versatility as a wing-back make him a valuable asset, and clubs like Real Madrid and Liverpool are reportedly keeping a close eye on him. But Manchester United, with their ongoing search for a reliable left-sided wing-back, could be well-placed to bring him back.
While Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are currently vying for the left-back spot at Old Trafford, neither has fully secured the role as their own. Amad and Antony, who have also shown potential on the wing, could be shifted to that position in certain tactical setups. Yet, Fernández’s particular strengths—his attacking runs, delivery, and ability to press high up the pitch—could be a perfect fit for a manager like Amorim, who values wing-backs who can contribute both defensively and offensively.
When asked about a possible return to Manchester United, Fernández seemed focused on his current success with Benfica. “I’m focused on what I have to do because I have a game every three days. It’s always nice to have teams call you, and everyone wants to grow, but I’m doing very well here,” he told *Marca*. Fernández expressed his contentment with his contract at Benfica and his desire to continue developing and winning titles, both with the Portuguese club and with Spain.
Yet, his growing reputation and United’s buy-back option mean that if left-wingback remains an issue for the club this season, Fernández could become an ideal solution. With United operating under financial constraints, re-signing him could be a cost-effective move to bolster their squad. The opportunity to bring back a player who has clearly developed into a top talent might be one that manager Ruben Amorim and the club would find hard to resist.