Preston North End loanee Alvaro Fernandez has admitted that Manchester United recommended he make the move to Lancashire.
The Spaniard was a major coup for North End last summer as he arrived on a season-long loan deal from United.
The Athletic claimed that Fernandez had snubbed Bundesliga interest to join PNE, highlighting what a great addition this was for North End.
Fernandez has now opened up on his summer move in an interview with Spanish newspaper AS.
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Fernandez notes that he had a number of offers, even from some of PNE’s Championship rivals.
However, Fernandez believes that PNE have a ‘good relationship’ with United and the Red Devils subsequently recommended the move.
Fernandez added that United ‘were firm’ in their belief that Fernandez should join PNE rather than join a Spanish club, and they flat-out rejected loan-to-buy offers from other clubs.
“They have a good relationship between clubs,” said Fernandez. “I had good options for the Championship and some other leagues, but they recommended me to come here. Some came from Spain, but United were firm. There were purchase options and they were not willing,” he added.
The 19-year-old was once in the Real Madrid ranks and United clearly have high hopes for him.
This season in the Championship was pushed in order to give Fernandez a season of regular playing time against experienced senior players.
Championship football is completely different to Under-23 action and United will feel this move has paid off for Fernandez.
Fernandez has played 27 Championship games this season, tallied over 1800 minutes of league action and picked up a couple of assists.
That’s a really strong season for Fernandez and he has been one of PNE’s driving forces in recent games.
PNE fans would no doubt love to see Fernandez return next season but we can imagine United have bigger plans in mind.
Still, Fernandez’s comments may open the door for more United loanees to join PNE down the line given the relationship between the two clubs.