Alvaro Carreras names three Manchester United stars who stunned him, addresses Rúben Amorim interest

Alvaro Carreras has been continually linked with a move back to Manchester United just months after Erik ten Hag sold him to Benfica during the summer.

Manchester United have struggled with left-back availability for the past 18 months, with Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw often missing through injury.

Former manager Erik ten Hag had to adapt his line-ups throughout the last year, utilising Diogo Dalot, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Lisandro Martínez in the left-back position since the beginning of the year.

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Neither Shaw nor Malacia have been fit for selection in 2024. Malacia has been out for around 18 months due to persistent knee problems, while Shaw continues to deal with recurring calf and hamstring injuries.

This has led to the club aiming to sign a new left-back in January, with Rúben Amorim reportedly keen to work with Alvaro Carreras, who United sold to Benfica for around £5 million in the summer but retain a buy-back clause sat at £16 million.

Players who stunned Carreras

United signed Carreras from Real Madrid’s academy, and he was very successful within the youth teams. When on loan at Preston, he won their Young Player of the Year award.

However, former United boss Ten Hag did not take to the Spanish full-back. The player went on loan to Granada and then Benfica, with the latter activating a buy option in the summer.

However, in an interview with Marca, Carreras revealed that three players in particular left him stunned when he was training in Manchester.

“When I was 17 or 18, I was at Manchester United training with Cristiano [Ronaldo], [Marcus] Rashford or [Edinson] Cavani, and you said, ‘Wow’,” he explained.

Out of this trio, Rashford is now the only remaining player at the club, with the other two having moved swiftly on in recent seasons.

Addressing a United return

Many have pegged Carreras as a perfect full-back that would suit the system of new head coach Rúben Amorim, but when asked about his future, the 21-year-old reiterated his loyalties to Benfica.

“To be honest, I don’t pay much attention to it,” he explained. “I’m focused on what I have to do because I have a game every three days.

“It’s always nice to have teams call you and everyone wants to grow, but I’m doing very well here. United have a signed purchase option, but I’m very happy here.”

Continuing, he said: “I have a five-year contract with Benfica. I want to win titles and continue to grow personally, as I am still only 21 years old. I want to win, whether it is with Spain or with Benfica, to continue to grow.”

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