Manchester United confirm transfer hours after FA Cup win as statement catches the eye

Manchester United began their summer transfer business just hours after winning the FA Cup final against Man City.

While most of the Red Devils’ stars probably had headaches, the club announced that one of their young players would be leaving permanently.

Fernandez played for the Red Devils in pre-season before being loaned out this season.

Left-back Alvaro Fernandez moved from Real Madrid to Man United in 2020.

And he even won the prestigious Denzil Haroun Reserve-Team Player of the Year award in the 2021/22 season, while also starting on the bench in four Premier League games this season.

He was then loaned to Preston in the 2022/23 season, where he made 42 appearances.

This season, Fernandez earned a place on the bench in the third game of the season against Nottingham Forest.

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However, he spent the first half of the season at Granada, but that time ended in January.

He was then loaned to Benfica, who have now completed a £5 million deal to sign him permanently after he helped their club finish second in the Portuguese top flight.

It is assumed that the transfer includes both a buyback and a resale clause.

And Manchester United hinted at this when confirming the deal.

Fernandez scored one goal and provided one assist during his loan spell as a left-back.

“Everyone at United wishes Alvaro all the best for the future and will keep an eye on his progress,” the statement concluded.

“We will wait for your return, Alvaro,” said a Manchester United fan on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Watch the full scenes as Manchester United celebrate victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final

Another added: “See you soon at Manchester United my sweet boy Alvaro Fernandez.”

A third said: “He will come back in the future to take the LB spot. I see great potential in him.”