Stat Summary | Alvaro Carreras | OneFootball

Sold to Benfica for £6m last summer, Manchester United are set to benefit if marauding full-back Álvaro Carreras completes his expected £42m move to Real Madrid - but did the Red Devils miss a trick in the first place allowing the Spanish youth international to leave?

Now 22, Carreras came through the youth ranks at Old Trafford and played a full season on loan in the Championship with Preston North End in the 2022/23 campaign. However, unlike another former academy kid - David Beckham - Carreras' time at Deepdale did not pave the way into United's first team and he moved to the Primeira Liga last summer.

Although the Red Devils are set to pocket 20% from Carrera's' switch to Real Madrid, which is in the pipeline according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, some United fans have been left questioning why such a talent saw zero game time for the club during his time in Manchester.

The fact is that when United sold Carreras to Benfica they included a buy-back clause of £15m, as well as the sell-on clause, but Ruben Amorim and co have opted not to trigger this option given the January signing of Denmark international Patrick Dorgu from Lecce.

How do Carreras' stats stack up?

A look at the fleet-footed full-back's numbers from what looks set to be his one and only season in the Primeira Liga with Benfica clearly illustrate the defender's strengths.

Ranked 15th in the Portuguese top flight for successful dribbles (34) and 30th for key passes (33), Carreras has the physicality, pace and intent to make major inroads in the final third of the field...and then deliver with quality.

Carreras contributed four goals and five assists in his 50 appearances for the Eagles in 2024/25, but it is willingness to progress play with and without the ball that particularly stands out.

Seventh in the Primeira Liga for progressive carries last term, with 87, Carreras ranked even higher (6th) for progressive passes received (211) and Benfica fans quickly grew to love the young left-back for his attacking forays forward, and his fast-improving defensive game.

Nine league bookings, more than any other Benfica player, hint at rough edges to iron out, but Real Madrid - who have already tied up deals for Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen - will have an exciting front-footed full-back on their hands should they complete the deal for Carreras, as reports suggest they will.

The big question for United fans, if their former academy graduate is strutting his stuff at the Bernabeu next season, will be: was it worth letting a Galactico leave without giving him an opportunity?