The Untold Story: Why Manchester United Let Alvaro Carreras Slip Through Their Fingers
Promising prospects frequently fall through the gaps at Premier League powerhouses, and this was undoubtedly true for Álvaro Carreras.
The left-back joined Manchester United's youth setup in 2020, coming from Real Madrid. He made his mark with the club's development squads and was dispatched on three different loan arrangements to gain experience; temporary moves to Preston North End, Granada and Benfica allowed him to develop his skills.
However, despite his development away from Old Trafford, United chose to sell the prospect in 2024. The Spanish player completed a permanent transfer to Benfica for merely £5 million ($6.3 million), subsequently flourishing in Lisbon and delivering the Red Devils a substantial dose of regret.
Carreras made such a strong impact in Portugal that Madrid chose to reacquire their former asset, spending €50 million (£43.6 million) to bring him back. United earned a return from the transaction—roughly £8.6 million—but the defender's ascent raises questions about why the Red Devils permitted his departure initially.
Why Man Utd Overlooked Alvaro Carreras
United cannot claim unawareness regarding Carreras. He had already made an impression in the club's youth system, even earning the Reserve Team Player of the Year honor for the 2021–22 campaign. He frequently practiced with the first team as well, and was even named as an unused substitute in United's match against Chelsea in April 2022.
Nevertheless, according to BBC Sport's Simon Stone, former United boss Erik ten Hag remained doubtful about the left-back despite his encouraging displays in the academy.
"My understanding is Erik ten Hag believed Carreras lacked sufficient pace for the Premier League and had difficulties against speedy opponents—and that he was better suited to a three-man defensive setup," Stone reported back in July.
"There was no line of Premier League teams interested in him, which is how he found himself on loan, initially at Granada and subsequently Benfica."
How Man Utd Could Have Re-Signed Carerras
United did possess the chance to bring back Carreras through their £17 million buyback provision included in his Benfica deal, but chose not to activate the clause during his spell in Lisbon despite their left-back issues. They alternatively acquired Patrick Dorgu for approximately £30 million from Lecce last January.
"My inquiry is why, considering United spent the second half of the 2023–24 campaign without a natural left-back, they didn't recall him to Old Trafford last summer, when Ten Hag determined Harry Amass wasn't ready," Stone continued.
"That would have appeared logical from a financial standpoint, knowing Carreras' worth had increased and with a reasonable season completed, they would receive a better price if they chose to sell at season's end."
United's recent transfer activity has been marked by such errors and miscalculations, both regarding player purchases and departures.
The Future for Man Utd and Carerras
Paradoxically, Ten Hag's worries about Carreras' compatibility with his preferred system contrasts sharply with how current United boss Ruben Amorim would likely have viewed things.
Amorim has been consistent in his commitment to deploying a three-man defense with attacking wing-backs, and there's little doubt the offensive thrust, vitality and determination that Carreras brings would have satisfied several requirements. His availability might even have permitted United to concentrate their transfer efforts elsewhere, relegating the eventual acquisition of Dorgu on the priority scale which could have facilitated the desperately needed addition of a central midfielder.
Carreras is now performing under Xabi Alonso in Madrid—another coach who developed his tactical expertise using a three-man defense at Bayer Leverkusen. But at the 15-time Champions League champions, Alonso has taken a different approach, discarding his favored formation to accommodate an attacking trio featuring Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo and a solid midfield trio including Jude Bellingham and Aurélien Tchouaméni once fitness issues are resolved.
The adjustment has enabled Carreras to continue progressing in a four-man defense—a position he appears well-equipped to handle despite Ten Hag's earlier assessment.