Ruben Amorim’s arrival as Manchester United’s new head coach necessitated a shift to his favoured 3-4-3 system and the Portuguese soon found out how ill-equipped the team was to playing his style of football.
The team had very little legs in midfield and an abundance of inconsistent midfielders while there is also a lack of quality up front, with the head coach making it clear to the establishment how unhappy he was with the recruitment.
One area that needed an immediate injection of quality was at left wingback with Diogo Dalot struggling in that position while Luke Shaw remained sidelined.
There were multiple rumours linking the Red Devils with a move for their former Carrington graduate Alvaro Carreras, who is shining for Benfica this campaign.
Alvaro shining for Benfica
He has three goals and five assists and has been a standout star for the Portuguese outfit in the Champions League. His performances have generated plenty of interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid to name a few.
However, the Red Devils had inserted a buy-back option believed to be in the region of £20 million when they had sold the Spaniard last summer which makes the chase interesting.
Despite interest, United opted to go after Patrick Dorgu in January over the ex-Real Madrid youth product on Amorim’s advice.
But given the need to improve the right wing and considering the Dane’s versatility, the 20-time English league champions could still pursue Carreras in the summer.
Ahead of Benfica’s Champions League clash against Barcelona, he was asked about his former club’s interest and he confirmed that he was aware of the rumours but was focussed on the current season with Benfica.
On United’s interest
“The truth is that I’m overlooking it a bit,” he told A Bola (via Sport Witness). I’m concentrating on what I have to do, because every three days I have a game.
“There’s always interest from teams and everyone wants to grow, but I’m doing very well here (at Benfica). Manchester United have an option to buy that has been signed, but I’m very happy here.”
He is definitely a more cost-effective option than someone like Geovany Quenda but Amorim might prefer a reunion with his former protege.
Only time will tell where the former United academy star ends up at. United also hold a handsome sell-on fee which should earn them a decent amount should Benfica sell to another club.
Feature image Carlos Rodrigues via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
