Manchester United left-back Alvaro Fernandez joined La Liga side Granada on a season-long loan in September.
The 20-year-old, who has made 11 appearances for Granada this season, admits that he still hopes to establish himself at Old Trafford.
Fernandez had a successful loan spell at Preston North End in the Championship last season, but now he is proving himself in the Spanish top flight.
Speaking to The Athletic, Fernandez revealed that he still plans to make it at United but suggests anything could happen in the future.
“We’ll see the situation,” Fernandez said. “You know how football goes: day by day. I have two years left in Manchester and for now I’m thinking mainly about Granada. When I have to talk in the summer, or at Christmas, we’ll see what happens. My objective is Manchester, of course, but it’s such a crazy game that maybe next year I’ll be in Germany or Italy or Spain. You never know.”
All Fernandez can do is focus on his own development and putting himself on Erik ten Hag’s radar. I’m sure he will get an opportunity to go on pre-season tour with United next summer and that is when the manager and his coaching staff will assess whether he can improved as a full-back.
Ten Hag made it clear ahead of this season that Fernandez would not be part of his place, which is why he returned to Spain on loan.
The full-back was honest about that when spoke about how the loan to Granada happened: “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. 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.”
It would be fantastic if Fernandez could return and compete for a place at left-back, though it doesn’t bode well that he was overlooked this season. Especially when United have had so many injuries at left-back and opted to sign Sergio Reguilon on loan instead.
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