Manchester United are weighing up whether to re-sign Alvaro Carreras just six months after selling him to Benfica, according to reports.

The Spaniard left Old Trafford for £5m at the start of July but the Red Devils did include a buyback option which means they can bring him back to England for €20m (£16.6m).

English Tabloid the Daily Star report that United are “tempted to trigger” the clause, considering Carreras’s form for Benfica and the urgent need for a left-wingback.

Diogo Dalot has struggled to produce good enough performances when asked to play the position by head coach Ruben Amorim, while both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have had their fitness problems.

Why are United tempted to bring the player back so soon?

Considering that Amorim’s side would have to pay just over three times what they sold the defender for back in the summer, it does raise questions about what has changed in the intervening period. Has Carreras actually improved that much in such a short period of time?

The 21-year-old has definitely caught the eye for Benfica but the reason why the Red Devils are so keen on re-signing him is because he would be very well suited to Amorim’s system. He may not have got a look in under Erik ten Hag but the 3-4-3 formation that his successor employs could help him to thrive.

Premier League rivals are keeping tabs on Carreras

Liverpool have been mentioned as potential suitors for the Spanish Under 21 international in recent weeks, but United have a key advantage over their rivals.

While the Manchester club will only have to pay €20m (£16.6m) due to their buyback clause, the Merseysiders would likely have to match Carreras’s release fee, which reportedly stands at €50m (£41.5m).

Find out who is in Manchester United’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here