Alvaro Carreras in action for Manchester United in a pre-season friendly in 2023.
Alvaro Carreras never got a fair chance at Manchester United.
If one decision summed up the closing stages of Erik ten Hag's Manchester United tenure, it was his call to start Toby Collyer at left-back against Barnsley last September.
welcomed the League One side to Old Trafford in the third round of the Carabao Cup as overwhelming favourites to progress to the next round. The Reds got the job done with minimal fuss, winning 7-0.
It was the perfect opportunity for to be given his competitive debut. He impressed on last summer's pre-season tour, producing a crop of eye-catching performances, and the stage was set for him to make his Old Trafford bow.
Instead, Collyer - a central-midfielder - started on the left of the back four. The decision did not go down well.
Left-back was often blind spot. The signing of Tyrell Malacia was questioned, the loan addition of Sergio Reguilon aged terribly, and the Dutchman even tested the water by deploying defensive-midfielder Sofyan Amrabat in that role.
On the same day United signed Reguilon and Amrabat on loan from Tottenham Hotspur and Fiorentina respectively, Alvaro Carreras was sent out on loan to Granada. He had spent the previous season on loan at Preston North End, winning their 2022/23 Young Player of the Season award.
His performances in the Championship at Deepdale often earned plaudits from North End supporters. Many felt he was destined to go onto achieve bigger and better things.
United felt the most logical next step in his career was to send him to Granada, who had just been promoted back to La Liga. He struggled for game time in Spain and moved to Benfica in January, signing on loan for the remainder of the season.
The attack-minded full-back, who is equally capable as a wing-back, got into his stride in Portugal and made 16 appearances, scoring one goal. His performances convinced Benfica to sign him on a permanent basis in May last year.
Alvaro Carreras has excelled at Benfica. (Image: Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images.)
They triggered the option to turn his stay into a permanent one, and United banked a guaranteed payment of around £5million. At the time, it felt like a good deal for United, as they secured a cash-injection for a player that had never made a first-team appearance at Old Trafford.
On the flip side, United said farewell to a promising defender who had done more than enough during his time at Preston and Benfica to suggest he had something about him. That something has now put him on the cusp of a move to Real Madrid.
The Spanish club has been tracking Carreras' signature for a while and it now appears as though a deal is closer than ever to coming to fruition. It has been reported that he is closing in on a move to the Bernabeu for £43m.
Wisely, United inserted a sell-on clause into the deal that took Carreras to Benfica. They also inserted a buy-back clause which is understood to be active until the summer of 2026, allowing them to re-sign him for around £16m.
United are understood to be in line to receive 20 per cent of the profit Benfica make on the Spaniard, meaning, they will secure a little under £6m.
With the club in desperate need of cash this summer, every revenue stream will be welcomed. However, it is impossible to turn a blind eye to how badly this situation has aged for United.
Alvaro Carreras is poised to move to Real Madrid. (Image: Diogo Cardoso/Getty Images.)
Carreras established himself as a regular starter for Benfica last term, making 52 appearances, scoring four goals and contributing five assists. He made ten appearances in the Champions League and did not look out of place.
As a result of his performances at the highest level, Madrid are now making progress in their quest to sign him. His attacking nature allows him to play pretty much anywhere down the left, meaning he has versatile qualities Madrid will welcome with open arms.
Their pursuit of him will benefit United financially, but Ten Hag's refusal to give him a chance has left them short of a quality player on the pitch who could have so easily excelled in Ruben Amorim's system.