It's always a key time for young players at Premier League clubs, but Alvaro Fernandez should have an added swagger when he reports for pre-season with Manchester United this summer.
The Spaniard was tested at Championship level in 2022/23, down the road with Preston North End, and passed with flying colours. Fernandez and PNE won't have known a great deal about each other this time last year, but the relationship built quickly and only blossomed the further the campaign progressed.
Ryan Lowe's men ultimately saw their season fizzle out in underwhelming fashion, but Fernandez was a constant bright spark for an otherwise safe and steady outfit. There was a refreshing vibrancy and gutsy fearlessness to the youngster from minute one and for that, the appreciation from the stands was always there.
