‘Special guy’ - Preston teammate opens up on Manchester United loanee Alvaro Fernandez

Preston defender Bambo Diaby has heaped praise on Manchester United loanee Alvaro Fernandez amid his spell at Deepdale.

The 19-year-old left-back has played 31 times for the Championship club this season, often as a wing-back, and has grabbed four assists. He’s become a key player for the Lilywhites since his temporary summer switch, starting 21 of his appearances, including Saturday's visit to Watford.

Fernandez was named as United’s Under-23s player of the year last season following his 2020 switch from Real Madrid. Diaby also spent his youth career in the Spanish system after moving to Europe from his native Senegal aged four.

READ MORE: Fernandez reveals what United offered him that Real Madrid didn’t

The duo have struck up a fond bond and Diaby has unpacked the relationship between the pair. “He’s [Fernandez] a very special guy, he’s like my little bro,” the 25-year-old told The Lancashire Post.

“You have to take care of everything that he does but he’s a very nice guy. I’m always with him because it’s easier for us to understand because we are Spanish.

“When we’re on the field, I think we play similar football because we started at academies in Spain so we understand each other but sometimes I can’t find him because he’s so far from me.”

Speaking last month, Fernandez detailed how a loan switch to Preston came about. “I think they [United] wanted a team that was close to them, around Manchester, so they could be close to me and come to watch me at games,” the Spain Under-19 international detailed.

“They told me I had a big opportunity to come here, to come and play for a big club in the Championship with big fans, so they said: ‘If you go there it will be a challenge.’

“It’s hard, but that’s the Championship. I