Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has hinted that the club may exercise a buy-back clause to re-sign Alvaro Carreras, a 21-year-old left-back currently impressing at Benfica. This move could happen either in January or the summer, as the Red Devils look to strengthen their squad amid ongoing injury concerns.
During the 2024 summer transfer window, United offloaded several players to generate funds for new signings. Among those sold were Scott McTominay, Mason Greenwood, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Carreras, who left for Benfica in a deal worth around £5 million. Despite never making a senior appearance for United, Carreras was a promising talent, having joined the club in 2020 after a stint as a youth player at Real Madrid. During his time at United, he gained valuable experience on loan spells at Preston, Granada, and Benfica before his permanent departure.
This season, Carreras has caught the eye with standout performances for Benfica, particularly in the Champions League matches against Red Star Belgrade and Atletico Madrid. His development has not gone unnoticed, with Liverpool, Barcelona, and Real Madrid reportedly showing interest in the young Spaniard. However, United are in a strong position to bring him back, thanks to a £16 million buy-back clause included in the deal that sent him to Benfica.
United have been struggling with left-back options this season due to injuries to both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia. Although summer signing Noussair Mazraoui has performed admirably, his availability has been limited due to a recent heart procedure. This forced Ten Hag to deploy veteran center-back Jonny Evans as a makeshift left-back in a match against Brentford. With these challenges in mind, bringing back Carreras could provide much-needed depth and stability to the squad.
Ten Hag expressed satisfaction with how Carreras’s career trajectory has unfolded. “The process has been perfect,” he remarked, reflecting on the young defender’s progression through loan spells at Preston and Granada before thriving in the more competitive environment of Benfica. The Dutch manager emphasized that United had been closely monitoring Carreras’s development throughout, ensuring they maintained control of his future with the buy-back clause.
Ten Hag also acknowledged the difficulty of playing for Manchester United, particularly in the demanding Premier League. He highlighted the importance of gaining experience in top clubs and competitive leagues, something Carreras has been doing steadily. United now face a decision: whether to bring Carreras back as a solution to their defensive challenges or continue observing his growth elsewhere before making their move.
