Manchester United have found themselves with a huge dilemma as they have become embroiled in a transfer saga where they may have to help out bitter rivals Real Madrid
11:11, 16 May 2025Updated 11:18, 16 May 2025
LISBON, PORTUGAL - MARCH 05: Alvaro Carreras of Benfica looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg match between SL Benfica and FC Barcelona at Estadio da Luz on March 05, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Fantasista/Getty Images)
Former Manchester United star Alvaro Carreras has been in fine form for Benfica(Image: Fantasista/Getty Images)
Cash-strapped Manchester United are [in danger of being left red faced](https:// https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/liverpool-fans-banner-manchester-united-35232602) when it comes to former star Alvaro Carreras.
Which has also left them at risk of having to help bitter rivals Real Madrid strike a deal to sign the Spanish defender. United sold Carreras to Benfica for just £5m in 2024.
Since then, Carreras has gone on to establish himself as one of the best left backs in Europe. This has seen him attract the attention of Real, who are keen to lure him to the Bernabeu this summer.
United had a buy-back clause inserted into the deal agreed with Benfica, which offers them the option to re-sign Carreras for £15m.
But United snubbed the chance in January, opting to sign Patrick Dorgu from Lecce instead for a fee rising to £30m.
Alvaro Carreras celebrating for Benfica
Alvaro Carreras celebrating for Benfica(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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Benfica are demanding a fee of around £50m from Real to land Carreras. Carreras joined United from Real in 2022 on a four year deal, but failed to make a single league appearance.
And now reports in Spain claim Real bosses want United to re-sign Carreras, before selling him to them for a lower price than the one Benfica are asking.
It's understood United are considering what to do next when it comes to the bizarre situation.
Real are willing to give United around £30m for Carreras, which would see the English giants make £15m in profit from the deal.
And with United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe battling financial problems at Old Trafford, he could be persuaded to work with Real.
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Which would be extraordinary, considering the two rivals have fallen out on several occasions over transfers down the years.
Former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson once insisted he "wouldn't sell Real a virus".
While back in 2015, David De Gea's move from United to Real collapsed after the deal missed the deadline by two minutes, leaving both clubs blaming each other.