Alvaro Fernandez has been impressing while on loan this season. The Manchester United loanee has been a regular starter in the Preston North End side, making 12 appearances so far this season.
Playing three at the back, Preston have the best defensive record in the Championship, only conceding 10 goals so far this season and Fernandez has been deployed on the left-hand side. This is good news for United as the youngster had been showing great potential in the development squads and so needed to prove he could make the step up.
Fernandez will, however, want to improve his output going forward. Under Erik ten Hag, United's full-backs have been more involved further up the pitch and provide the team with more options to use during attacks.
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So when the opportunity to score his first goal in senior football landed at his feet, did the 19-year-old take it? Well, no.
Preston were 1-0 up against Huddersfield when Emil Riis Jakobsen received the ball on the right-hand side of the pitch. As the rest of the team pushed forward, the defenders were drawn over to him, creating space on the left.
As the ball was crossed into the box, it found Fernandez unmarked and he had the chance to seal the win. However, overthinking the opportunity, the full-back hit the ball into the floor causing it to bounce over the crossbar.
Fernandez fell to the floor in disappointment. Preston still won so it didn't matter in the grand scheme of things that the Spanish defender missed, however, it would have been a nice moment for him.
Preston's next game is a trip to Blackpool followed by a home fixture against Middlesbrough. The Teesside team are in talks with Michael Carrick to become their new boss, so it will be a small United reunion if the appointment is completed by the time that fixture is played.
Overall, Fernandez has been doing well, but he can do better. Hopefully he will gain the experience he needs to be a long-term member of the United squad.
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