^ ^ Manchester United starlet Alvaro Fernandez says the ‘door is always open’ for him to return to Spain

Fernandez has been handed chances during United’s pre-season campaign (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United youngster Alvaro Fernandez admits he could be tempted by a return to Spain later in his career.

The 20-year-old defender left Real Madrid in 2020 to sign for United, joining alongside Marc Jurado and Alejandro Garnacho who arrived the same summer from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid respectively.

With Garnacho now part of the first-team squad, Fernandez hopes to make similar progress having impressed out on loan at Preston last season.

The left-back is part of United’s pre-season squad currently in the US where he hopes to convince Erik ten Hag he can compete for first-team opportunities next season.

The Spaniard hopes to achieve success with United next season but admits in the long-term, a return to his homeland could prove tempting.

‘In the end, I’ve been away for four years,’ Fernandez told AS.

‘I came to a different country, totally different culture to Spain and you meet a lot of new people. It is very good, but there is always that sparkle to return.

The Spaniard hopes to force his way into Erik ten Hag’s plans (Picture: Getty)

‘I’m great in England, it’s true, but that door is always open to return to Spain in the future.’

Fernandez scooped Preston’s Young Player of the Year award last season and says the club have already reached out to sign him on loan again with a number of other Championship clubs also interested.

But the youngster says his preference is to remain at Old Trafford, or, if a loan is decided, to join a team in a ‘top league’.

‘Hopefully I can stay in the United first team,’ he said.

‘If it doesn’t happen and I have to go out on loan, then keep working hard and keep growing. I am 20 years old and what I want is to play. But if it can be at United, much better.

‘I have been called [by] great Championship teams. And Preston wanted to continue counting on me. But in case of going out on loan, I would say that the time has come to go to a top league. Not to say directly the Premier League or La Liga.’

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