Manager refuses to close door on Manchester United player despite loan struggles

Benfica manager Roger Schmidt reiterated 'everything is open' when asked whether his club are planning to sign Alvaro Fernandez on a permanent deal from Manchester United.

Fernandez was recalled from Granada in January so he could sign for Benfica on loan and the deal included an obligation to buy if he starts 50 per cent of games.

Benfica will pay €6million plus €3m in potential add-ons and they will still have the option to buy Fernandez if that obligation isn't triggered, while United have also inserted a buy-back clause and a sell-on fee if he is sold to another club after spending time in Portugal.

Fernandez joined United from Real Madrid in September 2020 after failing to agree a contract extension and began to make excellent progress in the academy.

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Despite moving to Manchester during the pandemic, Fernandez was able to settle and he received the Denzil Haroun Reserve-Team Player of the Year award in 2022.

He spent last season on loan with Preston North End and that spell in the Championship, which saw him make 42 appearances, was considered a resounding success.

Many fans wanted Fernandez to be kept around the United squad, but he was shipped out to Granada on loan before being recalled from that spell and sent to Benfica.

The left-back has made 11 appearances, which includes just two starts, since signing for Benfica but there's a growing expectation they will sign him permanently this summer.

Fernandez started for Benfica at the weekend and when their manager was asked about his situation by Maisfutebol, he said: "It was really good for him to play.

"He hasn’t played