Manchester United’s £5 Million Sale of Promising Defender Could Prove Costly

As Manchester United prepares to face Nottingham Forest in their upcoming Premier League match, an interesting milestone looms. If captain Bruno Fernandes plays, it will mark his 278th appearance for United across all competitions, equaling teammate Luke Shaw’s tally. This is notable because Shaw joined United in 2014, while Fernandes only arrived in January 2020.

The comparison highlights Fernandes’ remarkable durability, having missed just three games due to injury or illness since signing. It also underscores Shaw’s unfortunate injury record, as he has spent considerable time sidelined over the years.

Shaw has not started a match for United since February 2024 and it remains uncertain if he will return before the season ends. The 29-year-old admitted to being “devastated” after suffering a setback in his recovery late last year.

Manager Ruben Amorim recently suggested Shaw had only a “minor issue,” but the defender has only just returned to first-team training. With Shaw’s persistent injury troubles, Amorim has looked to other options like Ayden Heaven and Harry Amass to fill in at left-back and left wing-back.

The emergence of these young players may signal the beginning of the end for Shaw’s time at United. It also raises questions about the club’s decision to sell a potential replacement, Alvaro Fernandez, last summer.

United May Have Sold the Ideal Shaw Successor

Fernandez, a 22-year-old Spanish defender, joined United’s youth ranks from Real Madrid in 2020. Described as having an “amazing engine and quality,” he impressed for the U23s with 14 goal contributions in 47 games. He also registered 6 assists during a loan spell at Preston North End.

However, Fernandez never got a chance in United’s first team, even when injuries forced makeshift options like Sofyan Amrabat to play left-back last season. In January 2024, United allowed Fernandez to join Benfica on loan before making the move permanent for just £5 million in the summer.

That decision now looks shortsighted, as Fernandez has thrived in Portugal with 8 goals and assists in 41 games this season. His form even sparked talk of United triggering a £15 million buy-back clause in January, though they opted to sign Patrick Dorgu for £30 million instead.

According to analyst Ben Mattinson, United will likely “regret selling” Fernandez, especially as his market value has tripled to £15 million while Shaw is now valued at just £13 million. The young Spaniard appears to be the dynamic, attack-minded left-back United have been seeking.

With Shaw’s injury woes continuing and Fernandez flourishing abroad, United’s decision to let the promising defender leave for such a small fee could prove costly in the long run. Whether Fernandez ever returns to Old Trafford remains to be seen, but his success at Benfica suggests United may have made a £10 million mistake.