Alvaro Carreras, (known as Fernandez during his time at Manchester United) has secured a spot in Xabi Alonso’s new-look Real Madrid side this summer in a €50million move from Benfica.
The left-back has long been admired by the European heavyweights, having initially been offered a contract by them when Manchester United were attempting to bring him to England.
However, his time at the Premier League club did not go to plan. Despite showing highly promising signs in the youth set-up he failed to significantly break into the first team, with Luke Shaw preferred and players such as Tyrell Malacia coming in and filling up the squad.
Loan spells to Preston North End, Granada and eventually Benfica marked the end of his spell at Old Trafford and he would make the move to the latter permanent in 2022 for a fee of just €6million.
However, Manchester United did retain a 20% sell on fee as well as a buy-back clause of around €18million. Meaning they will get some money back as he links up with Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso.
Manchester United Benefit But Not as Much as They Should Have
Manchester United have been desperate at left-back. Luke Shaw has spent more time on the treatment table than the pitch, Erik ten Hag signing Tyrell Malacia has looked lost and out of place which has caused him to be ostracised from the first team squad.
Which prompted the Dutchman and then Ruben Amorim to play Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui (both right-backs) in his position.
But whether Erik ten Hag was ignorant to his talent or thought he knew better at the time, Carreras has gone on to become one of the best left backs in European football.
The Red Devils are desperate for cash to give manager Ruben Amorim what he needs to craft the side into his particular style of play and they let a player with huge value walk out for a low value.
Ultimately the club will pocket some of the cash, 20% of the profit Benfica made on the €50million. But they could have benefited from a young, ambitious pre-peak defender the envy of some of the biggest clubs in the world.
Amorim Scrambling for Signings
Whilst Premier League rivals Arsenal are confirming a deal for target Victor Gyokeres, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City and even Spurs are busy in the market.
Manchester United are still negotiating on one of their prime targets Bryan Mbeumo.
Whilst a deal appears to be close, they appear to be landing almost perfectly on the price Brentford asked for the player several weeks ago.
The Red Devils inability to negotiate more than one deal at a time, and the slow speed in which they complete deals will likely be leaving Ruben Amorim sweating.
This is especially true with more sales needed before bringing in any significant signings.
Andre Onana is also injured meaning a new goalkeeper man be needed, which will leave the Portuguese manager entering their pre-season tour with a similar squad to what led them to their worst ever Premier League finish last season.