Ten Hag confirms that the Red Devils are ‘assessing’ the deal for Liverpool, target of Real Madrid

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has revealed that club chiefs are following Alvaro Fernandez Carreras and could frustrate both Liverpool and Real Madrid by re-signing him.

Fernandez left Man Utd in January to join Benfica on an initial loan deal, which became permanent in the summer. Benfica initially paid United 6 million euros for Fernandez, which could rise to 9 million euros (up to 7.5 million euros) via add-ons.

However, United wanted to maintain some control over the left-back’s future and included a £16 million buy-back clause in the deal that took him away from Old Trafford.

Ten Hag has now confirmed that buy-back clause and admits that United are considering bringing him back to England in the near future.

“I think the process is perfect,” he said at a press conference (via 90 minutes). “We loaned him to Preston, he came back, then we loaned him to Granada. He didn’t play much there. Of course we watched him all the time and now we had the chance to sell him.

“But we have a buyback, so we have control over the situation, I think that’s what he needed.

“Go from Preston to La Liga, go to Portugal and move to a higher club and a better league each time. Now we have to look at the situation and assess whether he can be an option for us.

“But playing for Man Utd is not that easy, playing in the Premier League for Man Utd is not that easy. You need experience, but also development. You get development by playing for better clubs and in better competitions.”

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The United hierarchy will be pleased to have the opportunity to re-sign Fernandez as the 21-year-old has impressed in his nine appearances for Benfica this season and is attracting interest from several big clubs.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are keen to bring the Spanish U21 international back to his home country.

Earlier this week it was claimed that Liverpool would be interested in making Fernandez Andy Robertson’s successor. Arne Slot’s side were also told they had to match his significant €50 million (£41.7 million/$54.4 million) exit clause to complete a deal.

But United can beat all of Madrid, Barca and Liverpool to Fernandez by simply activating his buyback clause. And the £16m fee represents much better value than the figure quoted by Liverpool.

It has been reported that Fernandez would prefer to return to Madrid rather than re-join United, having played in Los Blancos’ academy before originally joining United in September 2020.

Despite this, the Red Devils will be confident they can get Fernandez to re-sign for them. Fernandez could have a good chance of becoming United’s main left-back given how poorly Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have struggled with injuries of late.

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Although Ten Hag is the one who has admitted that United are looking at Fernandez, he may not be at the club next season to help him develop further.

United eased the pressure on the Dutchman with the 2-1 win over Brentford, although he is still a couple of defeats away from being sacked.

Former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic is the latest coach to replace Ten Hag. It is believed that Thomas Frank, Eddie Howe and Graham Potter are all also in the picture after number 1 target Thomas Tuchel agreed to join England in January.

TEAMtalk can rule out Turkish manager Vincenzo Montella after he was surprisingly named as an option.

Meanwhile, ex-United defender Paul Parker has responded to claims that Newcastle or Crystal Palace could sign expensive flop Antony.

“I don’t see Newcastle or Palace being interested in him unless they are virtually given to him by United,” Parker said. “Maybe they see the value in that. I just don’t want him to be like (Donny) van de Beek.

“It would be best for him to go back home, and his home is Ajax. There he had great success and his name was made. I’m not going to Newcastle and Palace isn’t working financially.”

The expert proceeded to destroy Antony’s ability. “He plays like someone with a small frame and round shoulders, and doesn’t stand up with belief in himself,” he added.

“For someone with a left foot, he has one of the worst left feet I’ve ever seen, and left footers are normally always talented.

“They’re either very talented, or they have a rocket with their left foot, and he just lacks the power in his left foot. He struggles with power.”