Alvaro Fernandez wins award ahead of return to Manchester United

Manchester United youngster Alvaro Fernandez ended his season by winning Preston's Young Player of the Year award.

It's understood Preston won the race to sign Fernandez on loan in the summer because of their plan for his development and the Spaniard made 27 starts in the Championship and a total of 42 appearances across all competitions.

Fernandez, 20, impressed on loan at Deepdale and United academy staff have been delighted with his progress in the second tier.

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After a summer break, he will report to Carrington for pre-season where he will be assessed by Erik ten Hag. Fernandez has Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia ahead of him at first-team level and a loan to a Premier League club next season is possible.

Fernandez, speaking to LancsLive two weeks ago, reflected on his loan and said: "It's been a good season for me - I have taken the experience that I wanted right at the beginning, with 39 (now 40) appearances in total. It's been the perfect season for me, I think.

"We have a very good squad and everyone is close in the changing room - it's a good feeling. We have no problems inside and we know what we want. I think I will go to speak with them [United] in one or two weeks.

"They will say that I need to come back in pre-season, to Manchester United - then we will speak again, after training, to see what happens and what they want. The world is crazy. You never know in football. Erik ten Hag, he has to choose."

Fernandez is under contract with United until June 2024, with the option of an additional year.

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