Alvaro Fernandez claim suggests Manchester United have made another transfer mistake

Alvaro Fernandez claimed this week that Manchester United refused to agree to an option-to-buy clause in his loan deal with Granada.

Fernandez will spend the season at the Spanish side, with his temporary exit sanctioned late in the summer transfer window despite United struggling for left-back options following injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.

Their injuries could have opened the door for Fernandez, though United instead opted to bring Sergio Reguilon in on loan, with the Spaniard impressing in his opening two games against Brighton and Bayern Munich.

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Fernandez may have felt hard done by after enjoying a successful loan spell at Championship club Preston North End last campaign, featuring in 42 games across three competitions.

The 20-year-old gained enough experience to possibly be given a shot at top-level English football, though it seems he hasn’t earned the trust of manager Erik ten Hag.

Shaw, 28, and Malacia, 24, both have their best years ahead of them and so Fernandez's exit would suggest he probably isn't in Ten Hag's long-term plans.

Fernandez regularly stood out in his time playing in the United academy, bombing forward from left-back. He is a player who is comfortable on the ball and can provide an outlet on the wing - traits Ten Hag definitely appreciates - and so United allowing the Spaniard to go out on loan given their limited options at this moment in time was surprising.

Should United decide to sell Fernandez next summer, their decision not to include an option-to-buy clause in his deal with Granada will look quite foolish.

United have been criticised for their