Man Utd lead hunt for Benfica wing-back also wanted by Barca and Madrid

Manchester United are well placed to bring in full-back Alvaro Fernandez and best off competition from top clubs also chasing him.

The left side of United's team has been a problem for some time.

Erik ten Hag himself lamented the lack of a natural left-footed left-back earlier this season, and the issue has only increased under Ruben Amorim's wing-back system.

Diogo Dalot, while a capable player, has struggled to impress on the left flank, highlighting the need for a specialist in the position.

This has led to a frantic search for reinforcements, with the club exploring several options.

One name that keeps cropping up is Alvaro Fernandez. The Spanish left-back, who joined Benfica for a modest £5.1 million in the summer, has been a revelation in Portugal.

His impressive performances have not gone unnoticed at Old Trafford, with United reportedly leading the race to re-sign him.

According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and United are all vying for Fernandez's signature.

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However, United hold a significant advantage due to the £17 million buy-back clause included in his transfer. While Benfica are reluctant to sell, they cannot refuse to honour the clause if United choose to trigger it.

This potential return would be a stark reminder of United's previous missteps in the transfer market.

Letting Fernandez leave for a relatively small fee could prove to be a costly mistake, especially considering his rapid development in Portugal.

Fernandez is just one of several left-back options being considered by United. The club is in advanced talks to sign Paraguayan youngster Diego Leon, a promising talent who will join the club in July 2025.

Other names linked with a move to Old Trafford include Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies and Leece's exciting Dane, Patrick Dorgu.

However, the ideal solution for Amorim may lie with a familiar face. Sporting Lisbon's Maxi Araujo, a player Amorim knows well from his time in Portugal, could be the perfect fit for the United system.

With the January transfer window approaching, the hunt for a top-quality left-back will intensify. This position has become a priority for Amorim, and the club will be eager to address it swiftly to ensure they can compete at the highest level.