Utd learn how much they’ll have to fork out to sign 21 y/o ‘monster in the making’ – but Ten Hag might not want him

Amidst an ever-growing list of Manchester United transfer mistakes post-Sir Alex Ferguson, letting Alvaro Carreras leave for only £5 million is certainly one to rue.

There were plenty of factors as to why his exit didn’t make sense, not least because he was recalled from a loan spell with Granada in January to then be sent to Benfica while United had no natural left-backs available for selection.

Instead, Erik ten Hag was utilising Diogo Dalot and Victor Lindelof out of their usual positions to deputise for injured duo Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, with the pair still currently unavailable at the time of writing. 

Yet, rather than calling upon the academy prospect, Ten Hag sent Carreras on his way to Portugal to spend the second half of the campaign with Benfica.

An option to buy clause included in his terms meant that they’d have had no choice in signing him permanently had he started 50 per cent of their matches following his arrival in Lisbon. He didn’t meet such requirements, but the club opted to buy him anyway, having been impressed with his stellar showings when he was given the nod.

Carreras has made nine appearances this season thus far, seven of which have been as a starter. He played the full 90 minutes of each of Benfica’s opening two Champions League fixtures: a 2-1 win over Red Star and a 4-0 triumph over Atletico Madrid.

Carreras has flourished for Benfica this season

During his exploits on the European stage, he has recorded an 89 per cent passing accuracy, four key passes, four successful dribbles, five tackles, six interceptions and four clearances while also winning 10 of his 14 duels attempted – that’s according to talent scout Jacek Kulig, who labelled the 21-year-old a ‘monster in the making’.

Remarkably, he has registered the most goal-creating actions (six) in the Primeira Liga after seven matches, the most of any defender across the division and the fourth-most of any player, according to Statman Dave.

Therefore, it’ll come as no surprise to learn that the youngster is now being targeted by the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool, with United also said to be considering bringing Carreras, who never made a first-team appearance, back to Manchester.

Record in Portugal claims that if United want to activate their former player’s buyback clause, they’ll need to fork out around £16.7m.