Ten Hag keeping tabs on full-back with buy-back clause; happy for McTominay at Napoli

Erik ten Hag was asked whether he regrets selling Alvaro Fernandez after his rise to prominence at Benfica, while Manchester United struggle without any available left-backs.

The 21-year-old left United for Benfica in the summer, following loan spells with Preston North End and Granada.

Many believed Fernandez deserved opportunities last season when the Reds found themselves in a similar situation at left-back, where we’ve suffered with long-term injuries only to leave the manager short for options most match days.

Fernandez has been an ever-present threat across each of the Benfica’s last seven games, including two in the Champions League. When asked if he had any regret for letting the Spaniard go, Ten Hag referred to the buy-back option United have on the full-back.

“I think the process is perfect,” Ten Hag said, as per ManUtd.com.

“We loan him to Preston, he got back, then we loan him to Granada, he didn’t play so much there, and of course we, all the time, observed him and now we had the opportunity to sell him. But we have a buy-back [clause] so we have control of the situation, I think that’s what he needed. From Preston, then go to La Liga, go to Portugal [with Benfica], every time stepping up to a higher club and a better league. Now we have to see and assess the situation if he can be an option for us. But playing at Man United is not so easy, playing in the Premier League for Manchester United is not so easy. You need experience, also development. You get development from playing for better clubs and in better leagues.”

Erik ten Happy happy for Scott McTominay at Napoli

Scott McTominay has been enjoying himself in Italy.

United captain Bruno Fernandes recently received a gift from the Napoli sensation which he shared on Instagram this week.

After stressing he did not want to sell McTominay in the summer, the Dutchman has now reflected on how happy he is to see the Scotland international thriving at Serie A outfit Napoli.

“No, I’m very happy for Scott. As I said when he left, I didn’t want this but it is the rules. The club have to deal with the [Financial] Fair Play rules and the rules are not great. The rules are, I would even say, bad, but that is the situation this club created by the rules and it forced us to make this decision.”