Former Benfica star outlines Manchester United transfer fear after Ruben Amorim appointment

Former Benfica and Portugal defender Alvaro Magalhaes fears Ruben Amorim will want to bring Alvaro Fernandez back to Manchester United.

Fernandez, 21, left United in June, joining Benfica on a permanent deal after spending the second half of last season on loan at the Estadio da Luz. Benfica exercised the option to sign him permanently and paid an initial fee of €6million.

Fernandez left Old Trafford without having made a single first-team appearance for United - a decision that a lot of supporters felt was harsh. However, United inserted a clause into the deal that allows them to re-sign the defender via a buy-back option that is active until 2026.

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Amid the impending arrival of new head coach Amorim, it has been mooted that Fernandez, who was on loan at Granada in the first half of last season, could be an option for the Portuguese chief in the 3-4-3 system he is expected to install at Old Trafford.

Amorim's preferred way of playing is reliant on wing-backs and it is widely considered that Fernandez could be an option for the left wing-back role after a string of fine performances in Benfica colours so far this season.

And for Magalhaes, who played for Benfica 1981 and 1990, he believes Fernandez could be a realistic option for Amorim, who will no doubt be acutely aware of his credentials.

Magalhaes, speaking to A Bola, said: "I only fear that Ruben Amorim will take him to Manchester United.

"It seems to me that he has the quality to be one of the first options and looking at the squad I believe that with the new