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Alvaro Fernandez kissed the Real Madrid badge as he celebrated scoring a stunning goal last weekend. Anyone of a Manchester United persuasion who happened to tune into Madrid's game against Valencia would have winced as Fernandez fired a knuckled shot into the top right corner. The technique was exquisite. The execution was a thing of art. The goal has amassed more than 10million views on a single X post and United fans have wondered: why did the club sell such a talented player? Erik ten Hag made some inexplicable calls during his two-and-a-half years in Manchester, but perhaps his decision to overlook Fernandez will be seen as the worst of the bunch. Fernandez joined Benfica on loan in January 2024 with a view to a permanent transfer in the summer window and the Portuguese giants subsequently triggered their option to buy him. Benfica paid €6million (£5.2m) plus €3m (£2.6m) in potential add-ons to sign Fernandez and United inserted a 15 per cent sell-on clause, along with a buy-back option, into the sale. In the summer, Fernandez signed for Real Madrid in a €50m (£43m) deal. United fans asked why Fernandez was allowed to slip through the net and their frustration will only worsen as he reaches his potential. The defender's superb goal against Valencia was a reminder of what United let go, but it feels likely that Fernandez will go on and lift major honours with Madrid during his career, which will hurt more. Ten Hag should shudder at Fernandez's progress because the decision to sell him reflects poorly on his management. He did not fancy Fernandez when all the signs said the player possessed huge potential. Fernandez joined United's academy from Madrid as a teenager in 2020 and picked up the Denzil Haroun Reserve-Team Player of the Year award in 2021/22. He built on that campaign by enjoying a loan with Preston in 2022/2023, proving his quality and durability in the Championship and United sources said the temporary move had been a resounding success. Fernandez travelled on United's pre-season tour of the USA in the summer of 2023 after an injury to Tyrell Malacia. There was a first-team opening at left-back, but Fernandez's opportunities were limited. His only appearance in the States that summer came against Wrexham in San Diego when an academy side was fielded. Even Brandon Williams was handed more minutes. There was also a sliding doors moment in August 2023 when Luke Shaw picked up an injury against Tottenham. Malacia remained on the sidelines, recovering from knee surgery, but Diogo Dalot started at left back in the following game and Fernandez was named on the bench. To make matters worse, Sergio Reguilon was signed on loan from Tottenham on deadline day. Fernandez's loan to Granada was confirmed on the same day and he later criticised Ten Hag. “What message did United give me? That I should go out on loan, that Ten Hag didn’t count on me, that I should continue to gain experience, rhythm, and we’ll see what happens in the future," he told The Athletic in December 2023. "But it’s clear that football doesn’t end at any club and that you have to keep working. My main objective is to return to United and make a place for myself there.” Fernandez spent the first half of the season with Granada before being loaned to Benfica in the winter transfer window. United were happy with the permanent fee they banked from the Portuguese club, but it looked low when Madrid offered €50m (£43m) to sign him just a year later. Ten Hag is responsible for selling Fernandez. He overlooked the defender in favour of Malacia and Reguilon. Malacia was placed in the 'bomb squad' by Ruben Amorim and Reguilon is a free agent this season. Fernandez is thriving at Madrid and seems to be just getting started at the Bernabeu, so United fans cannot be blamed for cursing Ten Hag's decision. The irony is that Fernandez would have been perfect for Amorim. The current options at left wing-back, Dalot and Patrick Dorgu, are unconvincing. Fernandez would have excelled in Amorim's system. His marauding runs forward were a highlight of visits to Leigh Sports Village, where the academy plays. Some of the United staff who worked on the deal to sign Fernandez have since left the club. They are proud of his journey and have taken a great interest in his move to the world's biggest club. The remaining staff at Carrington who worked with Fernandez will wince whenever he plays.
