Erik ten Hag described the process of selling Alvaro Fernandez as “perfect.” Palaver would be a better term to use. Manchester United sold a healthy left back without giving him any playing time, and he is now competing in the same league that Ruben Amorim coached in. At the same time, United essentially still lack a left back. Tyrell Malacia has been taken off in three out of his four starts and was left out of the lineup against Wolves on Boxing Day. It has been 319 days since Luke Shaw last began a game for the club. Additionally, there is Fernandez, who was United’s first summer departure. He has played in all six of Benfica’s Champions League matches and in 13 out of their 163 league games. It was a disgrace that United never gave Fernandez a chance to debut. Brandon Williams participated in front of him during the 2023 pre-season tour, despite being told by former football director John Murtough that he was up for sale. United didn’t receive any money for the departing Williams. During his loan at Deepdale in the 2022-23 season, Fernandez won Preston’s young player of the year award. Malacia then experienced a knee injury that forced him to be out of action for 550 days.
