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Former Benfica defender Joao Manuel Pinto has urged his old employers to permanently sign “hungry” Manchester United loanee Alvaro Fernandez even as he continues to impress at the club.
Fernandez joined Benfica in January after United cut short his temporary spell in Spain with Granada.
He took his time to get going in Liga NOS and to convince manager Roger Schmidt of his talents and abilities. However, Fernandez’s stock appears to have risen in recent weeks.
A few days ago, the youngster scored his first goal for Benfica as they secured a comfortable 3-1 win against Farense in a Liga Portugal clash.
He received a sublime cross from ex-United attacker Angel Di Maria, expertly controlled the ball to bring it under his spell and then proceeded to finish it with his right foot.
The full-back later opened up on the feat – which earned him widespread plaudits from some of Portugal’s biggest newspapers – and expressed his pride.
According to news outlet, Record, Fernandez is poised to join Benfica on a permanent deal in the summer transfer window. Schmidt’s side are understood to be willing to trigger the €6 million (£5.1m) clause in his contract to keep him at the club for longer.
However, Jornal de Notícias share a slightly different perspective and explain that the Eagles have actually not reached a final decision as to whether or not they want to permanently retain Fernandez. There is an “internal will” at Estádio da Luz to buy the Carrington academy graduate but the indecision is being driven by the uncertainty surrounding Schmidt since it’s not guaranteed that he will be the manager next season.
While Benfica’s scouting department had provisionally planned to add a full-back to the ranks, the approval of whoever will be the next man in the dugout will ultimately be needed to get a deal over the line.
Amidst all this, Joao Manuel Pinto spoke to O Jogo and pleaded with Benfica to speed up the acquisition of Fernandez.
He said, “(Fernandez) is a player who fits into Benfica’s offensive process and ideas. He appears often in the penalty area, crosses well, moves into midfield well and defends well.”
“With Carreras, Benfica can make better use of their offensive ideas. He appears in the end zone and finishes. And he also showed that he has aggression.”
Pinto also noted that the fact Fernandez has a good left foot gives him an edge in his efforts to become a mainstay in the Benfica starting XI.
Pinto then further stated, “A full-back has to create spaces, appear in the area, and have creativity. And Carreras has those things. He is a player with quality and hunger for the game. He has already shown that.”
“I like him. He needs to play more, but he is very useful, I believe he will seize the opportunity. With playing time he acquires rhythm and confidence. It was like that with Grimaldo. You have to remember that he also had a period of adaptation and that the best time was the last one.”
The 21-year-old defender will get the chance to prove himself to the Benfica bosses and the fans now that Alexander Bah is injured.
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