Álvaro Fernández admitted he has really enjoyed his year with Preston North End, describing his loan spell as “great”.
The 20-year-old arrived at Deepdale in July on a season-long loan from Manchester United, after the Spaniard had won the U23 Player of the Year award at Old Trafford.
Álvaro went on to become a key player for Ryan Lowe’s side during the 2022/23 campaign, featuring 42 times in all competitions and going on to be voted the Young Player of the Year by supporters.
Reflecting on his time with the club, Álvaro said: “It’s been very good. It was a great season for me with great people around me.
“I enjoyed it a lot and I improved a lot. I just want to say thank you for everything, for everyone. All the best, always.
“I think I played 42 games and I never thought it was going to be like that.
“I just want to say thank you for the confidence from the staff and everyone – from my teammates, it’s great, and when the fans support you like that it’s easy.”
When Álvaro – who operates at left wing back – first signed, he spoke of his desire to earn experience in a first team environment.
The former Real Madrid man has previously mentioned the competitiveness of the Championship, which he went on to feature in on 39 different occasions, claiming four assists.
He said: “It’s great, you never think it’s going to be like that in your first season in the top football because it’s a tough league with tough games.
“Every game is hard to play. You go to big stadiums for big games, and always with them it’s easy.”
Álvaro will return to his parent club, who he has kept in regular contact with throughout his loan spell, and his situation will be assessed during pre-season with Erik ten Hag’s men.
Speaking of the potential of playing regularly for United, Álvaro added: “Hopefully, that is my dream now. For the next season I have to come back in pre-season and we’re going to see.
“Erik ten Hag has to choose if they want me there or if they don’t want me.
“If they let me go on loan again, I don’t know yet. I don’t know what’s going to be my future.
“Hopefully I can know where is going to be my future, but I don’t know yet.”