Erik ten Hag is not short of left-back options at the club, especially with the arrival of Tyrell Malacia.
He is expected to be behind Luke Shaw in the pecking order with Brandon Williams and Alex Telles considered surplus to requirements. Alvaro Fernandez is considered one for the future after being named as under-23s player of the year last season.
He has secured a season-long loan spell at Preston and had an impressive debut on Saturday, keeping a clean sheet. The 19-year-old came off the bench to play for the final 20 minutes in the goalless draw with Wigan.
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He replaced former United starlet Robbie Brady at left wingback and did a sterling job. Fernandez was often seen bombing up the left flank in the academy and was given licence to do so again for Preston this weekend.
The experience he will pick up in the Championship will be invaluable, not just for himself but for Ten Hag. The teenager seemed to thrive in his short spell in the wingback role, enjoying 13 touches and creating a goalscoring chance.
He was defensively astute too, winning two duels and a tackle. There is a long way to go for Fernandez before he starts knocking on the first team door at United but he has made a positive start.
Ten Hag is a stickler for versatility, as exemplified in his purchase of the adaptable Lisandro Martinez. Fernandez could become a valuable asset for the United boss in years to come, especially given his desire to see his full-backs push on into the final third.
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