MANCHESTER UNITED are set to miss out on a £5million windfall over Alvaro Fernandez, according to reports.
The defender joined Benfica on a loan deal until the end of the season in January.
But he has failed to mark his mark in Portugal with just ten appearances to his name – many of those as a substitute.
As a result, Portuguese outlet Correio da Manhã report Fernandez is taking “too long to convince” Benfica that he deserves to stay at the club long-term.
And that means Benfica are unlikely to make his loan move permanent.
Should he return to the Red Devils, United will miss out on a £5m agreement they made with Benfica to make the switch permanent.
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That could be a blow for Fernandez too, as he also failed to impress during a loan spell at Granada in the first half of the season.
The LaLiga side cut short his season-long loan deal after he played just 13 games for the club.
Fernandez joined Benfica with the option to make his move permanent for £5m.
That option also would have been triggered if he had featured in 50 per cent of his games as a starter.
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While a third clause entitles the Red Devils to a hefty sell-on fee while also giving them the right to match successful bids from other clubs.
However it appears that clause will be null and void as Benfica are likely to send the left-back back to Old Trafford.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
