Manu Fernández


Manuel Fernández Muñiz, commonly known as Manu, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper.

Club career

Born in Gijón, Asturias, and a product of Mareo, Sporting de Gijón's youth academy, Manu made his professional debuts during the 2005–06 season, with the club in Segunda División. In 2007 he joined Deportivo de La Coruña, spending the major part of his first two years with its B-side.
In the 2009–10 campaign, after Gustavo Munúa's departure to Málaga CF, Manu was promoted to Daniel Aranzubia's backup. On 23 March 2010, after the latter was sent off against precisely Sporting Gijón at the 10-minute mark, he made his La Liga debut, in a 1–2 away loss.
Due to injury to Aranzubia, Manu started 2010–11's first six games then returned to the bench, appearing in the Copa del Rey as Deportivo was eventually relegated after 20 years. In July he signed with another team in the second division, Recreativo de Huelva, and continued competing in that level in the following years, in representation of AD Alcorcón and Deportivo Alavés.
Manu returned to the Estadio Riazor for the 2015–16 season, arriving following injury to habitual starter Fabri. Again, he played second-fiddle, now to Germán Lux.
In the summer of 2016, Manu signed with Iranian club Machine Sazi FC, newly promoted to the Persian Gulf Pro League, on a one-year contract. Halfway through the campaign he returned to Spain, joining Marbella FC from Segunda División B.

Honours

Spain U19