Fernandez joins Benfica on permanent deal

The Eagles have exercised the option to purchase the player on a permanent basis after he spent the second half of the season on loan at Estadio da Luz.

Fernandez made 16 appearances and scored once for Benfica during his loan spell, as Roger Schmidt's side finished second in the Primeira Liga table, behind Sporting Club, of Lisbon.

The 21-year-old also ran out for Granada during the 2023/24 campaign, playing 14 times for the La Liga outfit, who had Facundo Pellistri on their books from January onwards.

Last term, Alvaro won Preston North End's Young Player of the Year award, following a promising campaign with the Deepdale outfit.

Before that, Fernandez - who signed for the Reds from Real Madrid in 2020 - won the Denzil Haroun Reserve-Team Player of the Year award for 2021/22.

He made several first-team squads towards the end of that term, and was also selected on the substitutes' bench by Erik ten Hag for this season's home clash with Nottingham Forest.

Everyone at United would like to wish Alvaro all the best of luck in the future and will be keeping an eye on his progress.