After being concerned that his loan move from United might not go as planned, Will Fish is happy to have established himself as a stalwart for Hibernian over the past several months.
To expand his experience to first-team football, the 20-year-old center back signed a season-long contract with the Easter Road club in the summer of last year.
Fish had to wait until January to get his first start because Bushiri, Porteous, and Hanlon were all ahead of him in the pecking order. When he did, it was a disaster as he was played out of position at right-back and was substituted at halftime in a 3-0 loss against city rivals Hearts.
However, Fish was given the opportunity to start each of Hibs' final 11 games after Porteous was sold to Watford and Bushiri suffered a catastrophic injury.
“You have doubts, but I always had the backing of the staff,” he said when asked if he feared his move to Hibs was not working out. “They were always in dialogue with me and they said I would get my chance and they’ve stuck to their word.
“In football, you have to get a bit of luck. Porto left and Rocky got injured and I managed to get my chance, and I’ve done alright. The more games you play, the more experience you get and you feel more confident."
“I’ve enjoyed my time here massively. I’ve had some bumps along the road but I feel like I’ve come out the other side better for it. I’ve really enjoyed it and I owe a lot to Hibs for giving me this chance.”
Fish has only played in three first-team games prior to joining Hibs, one for home club United as a substitute and two for Stockport while on loan there last season. In light of this, the 20-year-old has been appreciative of the 33-year-old Hanlon's assistance in directing him at Easter Road.
"Paul’s been great,” Fish said ahead of Saturday’s match at home to St Mirren. “You couldn’t ask for a better centre-half partner for my first few games in men’s football. On and off the pitch, he’s great.
“He helps me through the games and we discuss things together. He’s a top lad.”
Despite having a contract with United through 2025, Fish is anticipated to return to a loan after this one.
“I don’t know,” he said when asked if he will return to Hibs. “I’m just focusing on the next five games and then we can take it from there and see what happens.
“I’ve still got time on my contract but I think everyone is on the same page that I need to go out and play men’s football again (next season) so that will be the plan.”
Will Fish is not the only Manchester United's loanee who is considering his future at the end of the current campaign. Alvaro Fernández is one, In his 40 appearances for PNE, Fernandez has contributed six assists. Manager Ryan Lowe has confidence in the youngster and has alternated between starting him and veteran Robbie Brady during the season. The former Real Madrid player is daydreaming of scoring before returning to Old Trafford.
"I had a good start when I made two assists against Huddersfield," Fernandez told LancsLive. "I then became injured, but (the fans) seemed to love me! When you work, you need that motivation and to start with those two assists - it was a good start. I was injured for one month after that, but from there I took big motivation.
"It's been a good season for me - I have taken the experience that I wanted right at the beginning, with 39 (now 40) appearances in total. It's been the perfect season for me, I think. We have a very good squad and everyone is close in the changing room - it's a good feeling. We have no problems inside and we know what we want."
Despite the fact that Fernandez's future is now uncertain, Preston fans would dearly love to see him stay at Deepdale for another season. As his first loan club in senior football, PNE will always retain a special place in his heart, but he has no idea what the upcoming campaign may entail.
"I think I will go to speak with them (United) in one or two weeks," said Fernandez. "They will say that I need to come back in pre-season - to United - then we will speak again, after training, to see what happens and what they want.
"The world is crazy.. you never know in football. Erik ten Hag, he has to choose! I am happy for (Man United) because they are doing very well. They changed a few things in the team - some tactics - and they are doing very well."
Preston North End wants Alvaro Fernández to return next season
The Spanish full-back has established himself as a crucial member of a Preston team that is now vying for Premier League promotion.
He has put up an excellent season for the Lilywhites. He has six assists in 34 games so far, but he has also excelled defensively, putting Preston in a strong position going into the final few games of the season.
He's a terrific talent at the age of 20, and Erik ten Hag's plans for him for the upcoming season are unclear after his successful loan at Preston.
The young left-back, who has excelled at the Championship level, should really move up to the Premier League, but whether he does so with or without Manchester United seems to be the question.
This year, United hasn't really cared much about the left-back position. The Red Devils now have two capable rotational players thanks to the Feyenoord purchase of Tyrell Malacia and the dependability of longtime employee Luke Shaw, who recently signed a new contract.
This indicates that the Spaniard isn't really in ten Hag's plans, although a loan transfer to another Premier League team is certainly a possibility.
A second season in the Premier League would then be necessary to determine whether Fernandez would be a reliable starter at Old Trafford. However, a solid preseason performance might improve his case. Last season, he did not have the opportunity to demonstrate his abilities because he was loaned out before the tour.
He most certainly have a great deal of potential, and we're eager to see what the young man's future holds.
In an interview back in March, Alvaro Fernandez has been playfully told by Preston North End defender Bambo Diaby that he needs to move back to Deepdale for the upcoming season.
The 20-year-old ALvaro Fernandez played the entire season on loan from Manchester United to Preston North End.
The Spaniard has adapted well to Ryan Lowe's system as a left wing back and has earned important first-team experience. Fernandez is playing senior football for the first time, and he should be extremely proud of how well-prepared he is.
Alvaro Fernandez has now been warned by North End teammate Bambo Diaby that Preston North End will undoubtedly pose the question. Bambo Diaby can easily converse with Fernandez in Spanish because he was born in Senegal but relocated to Catalunya at the age of four.
Since not all members of the Preston North End squad speak Spanish well, this has helped the two develop a bond.
According to a recent interview with Lancs Live, Bambo Diaby wants Alvaro Fernandez to stay at Deepdale for another season but is deferring to the United star in making that choice.
However, Bambo Diaby jokingly warned Fernandez that he knows where he resides and that if the two don't stay friends after this season, he will "kill" him.
“I don’t know, honestly,” said Diaby. “Because, if it was for me, I want to still play with him – of course! He is a very good player and I think everyone would want him in their team."
"He has a lot of quality and is a very nice guy. I have a very good relationship with him, especially, but it is his future and I think he needs to decide that. He will need to talk with the managers, his agent and everything and make his decisions.”
“If he does not I kill him. So, he decides; I know where he lives and know everything about him, so…” he added.
Alvaro Fernandez has proven to be a serious attacking threat for Preston North End this season with two goals and six assists in all competitions for Preston North End.
Now that the season is almost over, Preston North End only have eight games left before the summer transfer market opens. Preston North End would undoubtedly adore having Fernandez return for another season, but another Cameron Archer scenario is possible.
Last season, while on loan at North End, Archer made such an impression that rival teams began to show interest. As a result, he ultimately left Preston North End and joined Middlesbrough.
Another transfer would make sense for Fernandez, 20, as he might not be in United's first team plans for the upcoming campaign.
Another loanee is Di'shon Bernard, who has been on loan at Portsmouth. Following a superb performance at Oxford United on Tuesday night, the 22-year-old guided his club to a clean sheet and a 1-0 victory over Accrington with another commanding display.
Pompey supporters have been clamoring to see more of the central defender, who's been unfortunate in that he's received relatively little playing time after an injury hampered his development when he arrived in January.
The former Hull loanee added that, although United has the option to prolong his stay, his current contract with the Premier League club expires this summer. However, he believes he will be moving on because Pompey has a lot to offer as they try to advance next season under John Mousinho.
When asked about his future, Bernard said: "I’m concentrating on the season and playing these last couple of games. In the summer we can then think about it."
"Yes (Pompey would be a good place to play). It’s a nice ground with good fans and a good atmosphere. The club is showing ambition and wants to push for the Championship next season, so we’ll see in the summer. There’s an option on my contract (at United), but I think I’m going to be moving on in the summer."
With seven Pompey appearances under his belt, the Londoner has shown off a wealth of natural potential, so Bernard is unlikely to run out of choices going forward.
But he added that he is now unsure of where he will play football next semester. With his desire to just begin receiving regular game time, he doesn't have any fear about it.
"I’m 22 now so I need to be playing regular games, so I’m excited to see what the future holds. I genuinely don’t know what is going to happen at the moment, so we just have to see what happens. When it comes, we’ll have to think about it."
Since being reinstated in John Mousinho's starting lineup for the last two games against Oxford United and Accrington, Di'shon Bernard has had a significant impact.
After catching the eye despite times of little playing time, many Pompey supporters would like to see that happen at Fratton Park, and Mousinho is now considering the idea of a permanent move for the 22-year-old.
When asked if he could sign Bernard permanently, he said: ‘Quite possibly. ‘We’ll see what’s happening with Di’Shon, it’s been really good to have a look at him these past couple of games. He came on against Shrewsbury, started at MK, Oxford and Accrington and as well."
"I think it’s been a bit easier to asses Di’Shon and his capabilities now he’s playing in his natural position versus what he did when he played against Barnsley and Plymouth. Most likely at the very least we’re a loan who goes back, in terms of Di’Shon, so we need to fill that space."
Di'shon Bernard emphasized that he has no problem with being limited to eight appearances because he was unable to overtake those ahead of him due to an injury he sustained early in his tenure.
But the Pompey manager is well known for admiring the qualities the former Chelsea and Hull City loanee defender boasts. John Mousinho wants to see the Londoner utilize both his offensive and defensive strengths to the fullest.
He added: "Di’Shon has been a bit in and out, part of that has been down to the really good form of the back four and centre-halves."
"I thought he came in and played really well against Oxford, particularly having picked up a booking in the first half. That can be really tricky for a centre-half dealing with a powerful and pacy centre-forward, we felt he did that well in his defending and also coming out from the back with the ball."
"There were a couple of moments in the second half when he opened up and went past centre-forwards, it’s really pleasing to see him do that and we’d like him to try it a bit more from the back. I think he can do it from both sides and he’s really effective."
"Carrying the ball from the back is something we really encourage our centre-halves to do. In fairness to Sean (Raggett), he did that really well against Oxford and kept travelling up the right side and found Paddy and Colby in those pockets. It really creates a problem for the opposition when they do that and create an overload."
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