The Manchester United academy graduate could be on his way back to Old Trafford.

Manchester United are reportedly considering re-signing a former defender to bolster their options after a disappointing start to the season.

Erik ten Hag welcomed £180m worth of players to United in the summer. Three of the recruits were defenders – Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui.

Despite the idea behind the transfers being to shore up United’s back line, Ten Hag has already tinkered with his defensive selection in the early weeks of the campaign.

Ahead of United’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa last weekend, first-choice centre-backs De Ligt and Lisandro Martinez were benched.

Veteran Jonny Evans came in and impressed with a Man of the Match performance.

However, in a bid to improve their options, United could re-sign former player Alvaro Fernandez, according to O Jogo [via Sport Witness].

The left-back spent time in the club’s academy from 2020 to 2022 but failed to make a single first-team appearance.

In May 2022, he was named Manchester United’s U-23 Player of the Year.

He embarked on several loans at Preston, Granada and Benfica – before joining the Portuguese side permanently in May 2024, a transfer which angered some United supporters at the time.

It is thought that a £5m buy-back clause is included in his current contract that could see him return to Old Trafford, with United said to be ‘closely monitoring’ the player.

It also claimed that United could have competition from Barcelona and Real Madrid for the 21-year-old.

Fernandez was used mainly as a substitute for Benfica last season but has cemented his place in the starting XI this term – starting seven games.

Alvaro Carreras has impressed since leaving Manchester United (Credit:Getty)

The player is tied to Benfica until 2029, but the fact he knows United could tempt him to return to Old Trafford.

After last Sunday’s fixture at Villa Park, Ten Hag praised his defence. But with Luke Shaw struggling with injuries, bringing in a young full-back could be a wise move.

“It’s the fourth clean sheet this season,” explained Ten Hag.

“You see, we had a very good organisation and togetherness. There was good character and good spirit as a team. Determined, resilient.

“We almost didn’t concede a chance. When you defend like this and get some luck, in the end, they had a big chance but it was almost the only chance I think.”

Fernandez put in a Man of the Match performance in Benfica’s 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on October 2.

His fine showing led Portuguese outlet Record to describe him as “confident, uninhibited, aggressive and with a lot of football at his feet”.