Manchester United Allow Defender To Join English Side After Malacia’s Arrival

Manchester United had only two first-team quality left-backs – Luke Shaw and Alex Telles – under Ralf Rangnick last season.

However, the return of Brandon Williams from his loan, the emergence of Alvaro Fernandez from the academy, and the signing of Tyrell Malacia has led to an abundance of players capable of playing in the left-back position.

Absence of regular game time for these players might hinder their development, as well as affect their value in the transfer market. Accordingly, United intend to ship out a left-back or two this summer, and the Red Devils have succeeded in finding a new club for one defender.

Fernandez is moving to Preston North End on a season-long loan, The Athletic have reported.

The Spanish youngster, who moved to Manchester from Real Madrid in 2020, has produced a series of impressive displays for United’s youth teams.

He was expected to be given a chance to impress Erik ten Hag during the pre-season tour, but Malacia’s arrival from Feyenoord changed the situation, and Fernandez didn’t fly out with the squad in order to sort out his next move.

The 19-year-old was in the stands at Deepdale to watch Preston’s friendly against Leicester City on Saturday. Bundesliga clubs were understood to be amongst the suitors for Fernandez as well, but he has now agreed to spend a year in the Championship.