Alvaro Fernandez knows what he must do at Manchester United after Erik ten Hag's brutal chat

Having enjoyed a stellar campaign with Preston North End in the Championship last season, most would be forgiven for thinking Alvaro Fernandez was destined to receive his big break at Manchester United.

And yet, even after Erik ten Hag's side suffered major injury problems at left-back earlier this year, the 20-year-old Spaniard was still sent out on loan for a successive season, joining up with La Liga outfit Granada. Sergio Reguillon was then brought in on loan from Tottenham Hotspur shortly after his temporary exit to his homeland, with there once again a huge question mark next to his name in terms of his United career.

Fernandez's tenacious output at left-back impressed many onlookers at Deepdale last season as he helped Ryan Lowe's side to a respectable 12th-place finish. The youngster played 42 times and grabbed six assists and will once again be hoping to reach those kinds of levels come the end of the 2023/24 season.

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With talk of any potential January recall now diminishing, chances are Fernandez will once again be faced with something of a crossroads, given next summer United are likely to take up the option of extending his contract by a further year in order to lessen the risky of losing out on any kind of fee, should they opt to part ways with the full-back.

Youngsters including Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and even Dan Gore have begun to integrate themselves as members of ten Hag's squad this season but it's the advice he gave to fellow United starlet Amad Diallo that should fuel Fernandez's mindset