Man Utd fans furious as highly-rated youngster set to leave just hours after Jadon Sancho exit

Manchester United left-back Alvaro Fernandez is set to leave the club to join Benfica, according to reports - and fans are less than impressed.

The Spaniard could become the second player to exit Old Trafford this week, with Jadon Sancho having joined Borussia Dortmund on loan on Thursday.

Having initially joined United's academy from Real Madrid before being named their U21 Player of the Year for 2021/22, Fernandez had a successful loan spell with Championship side Preston North End last season, playing 39 games in a left wing-back role.

This term, the 20-year-old spent pre-season with United before being loaned out again, this time to La Liga side Granada.

But while he has made 13 league appearances, seven of those have been from the bench, meaning it hasn't quite been the spell Fernandez would have hoped for.

Now, according to Portuguese outlet Record, United and Benfica are in talks over the Spaniard leaving on a permanent transfer - although the finalised deal may contain an option to buy clause instead.

🔴 Conversations between Benfica and Man United on final details for Álvaro Fernández deal still ongoing.

❗️ It could be different formula and no longer permanent transfer.

Talks taking place today, it remains close to being done — more to follow. https://t.co/KTP1aW5Wej

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 12, 2024

Either way, United fans have been left furious at the prospect of another young talent departing the club, and made their feelings known on X (Twitter).

One supporter wrote: "If a buyback isn't included in the Alvaro Fernandez deal, then I really don't understand what's going on in the way the club conduct business."

Another added: "Utterly bizarre when you realise some of the swings and roundabouts in that LB position."

A third said: "If Benfica and Dortmund are trying to buy your top young talents, it's a sign not to sell them."

And a fourth exclaimed: "Alvaro Fernandez is the best full-back I've seen come up in this academy in more than a decade. I will be amazed but not surprised by his sale to Benfica."

And a fifth questioned: "Selling Alvaro Fernandez for just £10m is incredibly strange. Why did we even sign [Tyrell] Malacia?"