Real Madrid and Barcelona want to sign star Man Utd ‘sold for peanuts’ five months ago

Real Madrid and Barcelona are interested in signing former Manchester United starlet Alvaro Fernandez with the Premier League giants also mulling over bringing him back to Old Trafford.

Fernandez joined United as a 16-year-old, progressing the youth ranks and impressing in the Championship on loan with Preston in the 2022-23 season.

Despite those promising displays, he failed to make his senior debut for the club. In January, he joined Benfica on loan with that deal made permanent in the summer, signing a five-year deal with the Portuguese giants for a very modest fee of £5million.

Fernandez has nailed down a starting role at Benfica this season and turned in a superb display as they thrashed Atletico Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League earlier this month.

That performance left United fans to rue the decision to sell him for ‘peanuts’ – particularly with left-back a problem area with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia both still sidelined.

The 21-year-old’s performances have caught the attention of Real Madrid and Barcelona, with the Spanish giants closely monitoring his progress, O Jogo report.

United are also keeping tabs on the player they let leave the club just five months ago. The deal that took him to Lisbon included a buyback clause which United could decide to activate should he continue to impress in Portugal.

Atletico Madrid also maintain interest in the left-back with reports in Italy claiming Juventus are also monitoring the situation.

Fernandez has played 90 minutes in seven  consecutive Benfica games with his side undefeated in that run, dropping points in just one game.

His consistency in that position comes as United again struggle at left-back. Right-back Diogo Dalot has filled in on that side this season with Shaw and Malacia still out. Shaw is recovering from a calf problem and while there is hope he will be back this month, Erik ten Hag has been reluctant to put a precise timeline on his return.

Malacia meanwhile has not played since May 2023 due to a long-term knee injury.

United’s issues in that area have only grown more complicated with Noussair Mazraoui expected to be out for the rest of the month after undergoing a minor heart procedure.

His absence could force Erik ten Hag to utilise Victor Lindelof at right-back. Switching Dalot back to his natural role and deploying Lisandro Martinez at left-back is another option.