Man United can sign £50m Liverpool and Real Madrid target for £16.4m in January -Reports

Man United can sign £50m Liverpool and Real Madrid target for £16.4m in January -Reports

Manchester United’s problems at left-back have well documented in recent years.

Luke Shaw’s potential is undeniable, but he only made 12 Premier League games the previous season due to fitness problems.

Tyrell Malacia, who was signed in 2022 to serve as Shaw’s backup, has missed 16 months of play due to a knee injury.

Diogo Dalot has been forced to play left back this season, but with Noussair Mazraoui expected to miss some time with an injury, the Portuguese full back will probably start this weekend against Brentford in his preferred position at right back.

Many were surprised to learn that Alvaro Fernandez was sold to Benfica last summer considering the club’s issues.

The Spaniard was long-tipped to get into United’s starting lineup after joining from Real Madrid’s academy in 2017.

But Benfica triggered a £6m option to buy the full-back following his loan spell in Lisbon last season.

Fernandez has gone on to thrive in Portugal and starred in the club’s 4-0 Champions League win against Atletico Madrid earlier this month.

That’s seen Fernandez linked with big money moves to Real Madrid and Liverpool, who could trigger the £50m release clause in the defender’s contract.

But United have the option – until 2026 at least – of buying back Fernandez thanks to a clause in the defender’s deal.

The Red Devils can pay Benfica £16.4m for their former defender, which would see him return to Old Trafford.

Though that’s a hefty increase on the £6m United got by selling Fernandez, his development has come on considerably since and £16m is still well below his market value