Manchester United have had left back problems all season long and that may spark the arrival of a new option in the summer transfer window.

United ended last season with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia fighting it out at left back.

Both players showed their qualities last season and it looked like United had two fine left backs ready to battle it out again in the 2023-24 season.

This season has been a nightmare for both players though with Shaw suffering repeated injury problems.

Shaw has only managed 12 Premier League appearances this season and Malacia hasn’t kicked a ball all season long after an injury last pre-season.

We still don’t even know when the Dutchman will return and his absence sparked a loan deal for Sergio Reguilon before the summer transfer deadline.

Reguilon was sent back to Tottenham Hotspur in January but United’s left back woes have continued, sparking rumours surrounding a new signing there this summer.

Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez and Nice’s Melvin Bard have both been linked with United looking at landing a young, up-and-coming left back.

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Alvaro Fernandez celebrates

United may be looking for another left back but actually sent one away – twice – this season.

Alvaro Fernandez returned from a superb loan spell at Preston North End and featured in pre-season before being farmed out again.

United sent Fernandez to Granada before that deal was scrapped in January, paving the way for his move to Benfica.

Fernandez joined Benfica on loan with the option for a permanent move but first-team action has been hard to come by.

The Spaniard made just his second league start for the club on Monday, scoring the third goal in a 3-1 Benfica victory at Farense as he cut inside before firing a low right-footed strike into the net.

That was Fernandez’s first professional goal and he has now taken to Instagram to celebrate.

‘Persist and never give up’ said Fernandez before thanking his family for sticking by him as he waited and waited for his first goal.

Fernandez received support from both Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, who are shining in the United first team.

United captain Bruno Fernandes added ‘very good dummy, happy for you’, poking some fun at Fernandez in the process.

How much can United receive for Fernandez?

United agreed to loan Fernandez to Benfica but a £5million purchase option was included in the move.

Reports in Portugal have suggested that Benfica were unlikely to activate that clause with Fernandez struggling to make an impact.

Monday’s goal may just allow Fernandez to gather some momentum and prove to Benfica that he deserves to stay.

Even if Benfica say no, it’s unlikely that Fernandez will manage to force his way into the United plans.

The 21-year-old being loaned out not once but twice, in the midst of United’s left back issues, suggests that he just isn’t being considered for first-team action.

Maybe pre-season – and potentially a new manager – can change that situation, but we would assume that he will be leaving United one way or another this summer.