Ruben Amorim's first possible Man Utd signing has 'already been identified'

A Benfica legend fears Manchester United could begin the Ruben Amorim era by bringing back former young prospect Alvaro Fernandez Carreras – a player they already identified in the past.

Amorim, 39, will takeover the Red Devils on November 11, meaning his first game is the Premier League away clash against Ipswich Town on November 24. While Ruud van Nistelrooy is overseeing the club as interim boss and Amorim remains in situ at Sporting CP, one legend of Portuguese football fears United have their eye on one of the division's best young stars.

Fernandez, 21, currently plays for Sporting's rivals Benfica and has become a key player for Bruno Lage's side. Such is the quality of his performances, club legend Alvaro Magalhaes is worried Amorim will sign the young star, who previously made close to 50 appearances for the Red Devils' academy.

READ MORE: Try MUFC Pro for FREE for our best Manchester United coverage

READ MORE: Leaked Bruno Fernandes message tells Ruben Amorim all he needs to know about Man United star

In a recent interview, Magalhaes said: "I'm afraid Ruben Amorim will take him [Fernandez] to Manchester United. It seems to me that he has the quality to be one of their first options.

"Looking at their squad, I believe with the new coaching staff, he could become an option again because the new coach knows him very well from what he saw at Benfica. When he debuted in the league, I saw a brilliant left-back in him. The way he positioned himself, how he touched the ball.

"For many, doubts are only now starting to dissipate. I feel today that many people have long been undermining a high-performance athlete with potential for high achievement.

Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.

"At Benfica, only the best should play, and he is undoubtedly the best. He was wronged within Benfica, but fortunately, he never gave up."

The impressive defender only moved to Portugal's capital in May. He originally joined United from Real Madrid in 2020, amidst rumours also linking him to Manchester City.

Fernandez played nearly 50 times for United's Under-21s before unimpressive loan spells at Preston and Granada led him to Benfica, who activated a £5million buy option this summer – a decision they have not regretted, as per the Mirror.

United do have a buy-back clause which would allow them the opportunity to bring him back to the club for £17m. Magalhaes believes that Fernandez would bring a tenacity back to Old Trafford, which is currently lacking in United's squad.

Magalhaes added: "That ability to react to adversity seems to be his strength. Great players only succeed if they are mentally very strong, and that seems to be the case. If someone is weak, they can't play for Benfica, just as they can't play for Real Madrid, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, or PSG.

"If he were weak, he would have already been released from Benfica. He is one of those footballers we should fight to keep at the club because of their quality. I hope he has a lot of luck and continues to have a great season."