Former Manchester United defender Alvaro Carreras put in an eye-catching performance in Benfica’s 5-4 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The Spaniard may have ended up on the losing side but he produced an excellent assist for Vangelis Pavlidis’s opening goal.
With United having a €20m (£17m) buyback clause on Carreras, many fans on X want the fullback to return to Old Trafford:
We should be triggering his buy back!
— Chris (@chrissaunmufc) January 21, 2025
Got no idea why we aren’t even looking at bringing him back. He’s got far more experience at the top level and cheaper than Dorgu.
— Dark Saint (@DefiledGod) January 21, 2025
Should get both for the price of garnacho
— diesel (@DWarzyszynski) January 21, 2025
this is a no brainer
— Alex (@Yoro15i) January 21, 2025
We are not serious as a club.
— BreezY (@higgsbreezy) January 21, 2025
Ineos is a disgrace if they don’t do it tomorrow
— Deshmukh Abhishek (@DeshmukhAbhis10) January 21, 2025
Can someone explain or ask Ruben why we ain’t buying back this player ?
— Brooklyn (@Jamielewiz) January 21, 2025
A move for Carreras does make sense
The Red Devils are currently in negotiations to sign Patrick Dorgu from Lecce. They have reportedly had a €27m (£23m) bid rejected with his club holding out for €40m (£34m).
Considering that Carreras is available for half that amount, and has proven himself at a higher level, there is a very good case for United triggering their buyback option.
United could do with signing two left-wingbacks
With Tyrell Malacia expected to leave before the end of the month, some fans have rightly argued that the club should be pursuing both Carreras and Dorgu.
Luke Shaw may be close to returning to full fitness but, due to his injury record, he cannot really be relied upon. However, for the time being, it appears that United have prioritised the signing of Dorgu.
It is debatable whether that is a good idea considering that other Premier League clubs (including Liverpool) have also been linked with Carreras.
Find out who is in Manchester United’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
