Álvaro Fernández returned to Manchester United after an impressive loan spell at Preston North End last season. Operating mainly as a left wing-back, he managed six assists from 42 games and also won the Young Player of the Year award at the Championship club.
Erik ten Hag has included the 20-year-old in his squad for the pre-season tour to the US. The Red Devils are set to face Real Madrid in a friendly fixture on Thursday.
Manchester United signed the left-back from Los Blancos in 2020. Ahead of the tie between the two clubs, Fernández told AS he’s excited to feature against his former side.
The defender also talked about how the loan spell at Preston has helped in him in his development.
At Old Trafford, Fernández has Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia ahead of him, so it’s not going to be easy.
Despite this, the Spaniard is hopeful he can convince Ten Hag to include him in his plans for next season.
“Hopefully I can stay in the United first team. If it doesn’t happen and I have to go out on loan, then keep working hard and keep growing. I am 20 years old and what I want is to play. But if it can be at United, much better,” he said.
“I have been called [by] great Championship teams. And Preston wanted to continue counting on me. But in case of going out on loan, I would say that the time has come to go to a top league. Not to say directly the Premier League or La Liga,” Fernández explained.
AS then asked the player if he’s planning to return to Spain.
“In the end, I have been away for a few years. That’s fine, but there’s always that spark to return. I’m great in England, it’s the truth, but there is always that door open to return to Spain in the future,” he added.
