Erik ten Hag was told to give youngsterAlvaro Fernandez a run out for Manchester United rather than signing a replacement left-back for Luke Shaw, according to ɾєρօɾτs.
The Red Devils were left exposed at left-back towards the єɴԀ of the summer transfer windowfollowing an ιɴjυɾу to Shaw, who could be sidelined for up to ten weeks with a muscular ιɴjυɾу.
Alex Telles left for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassrafter a year on loan at Europa League champions Sevillawhile young left-backBrandon Williams joined Championship side Ipswich Town on a season-long loan.
Tyrell Malacia, who missed Man Utd’s pre-season tour of the United States, is also still injured and Fernandez emerged as a possible short-term option until Shaw or Malacia regained their fitness.
However, despite advice to give Fernandez a shot, Ten Hag was keen to bring in a left-back who has experience of playing in the Premier League.
And he subsequently signed Tottenham defєɴԀer Sergio Reguilon on loan until the єɴԀ of the season after giving up on Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella.
On Ten Hag’s decision to bring in Reguilon over giving Fernandez a chance,The Athleticclaim:
‘Fernandez had been close to finalising a loan move toLa Ligaoutfit Granada before Shaw’s ιɴjυɾу. That was suddenly put on hold.
‘Some figures who have followed Fernandez’s development believed he would be worth trying given United’s circumstances but Ten Hag wanted a replacement with Premier League experience.
‘In a meeting with Ten Hag, Fernandez was told that he would be allowed to go out on loan if a Ԁєɑł for an emergency left-back could be arranged. If not, he would compete with Dalot for a place in the team until Malacia returned from ιɴjυɾу.’
Former Man Utd defєɴԀer Gary Neville admits he was “surprised” that the Red Devils had gone for Reguilon with the Spaniard struggling to be a success in the Premier League at Tottenham.
Speaking onSky Sports, Neville’s fellow pundit Jamie Carragher said: “Roy Keane would be delighted, wouldn’t he? Roy Keane would be delighted. He is a big fan, isn’t he?”
Neville responded: “I have to say I was a little bit surprised that we were going for Reguilon.
“Obviously, we have got the issue with Luke Shaw which means that it is a stop-gap, it is a sort of temporary measure, but they have left themselves short in that position.”
