United “gave up” on academy star without giving him first-team debut, he’s now worth €80m – report

Ruben Amorim’s first summer in charge of Manchester United saw the club add several high-profile players, including Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. In comparison, United had a quiet January transfer window. Patrick Dorgu became Amorim’s first and only winter signing at Old Trafford. Signed from Lecce, Dorgu has impressed with his raw athleticism and defensive work. However, so far, he has been an underwhelming presence going forward, given how advanced wing-backs are in Amorim’s system. A year before Dorgu arrived, United agreed to part ways with promising academy full-back Alvaro Carreras, without handing him a senior debut. The Red Devils loaned him out to Benfica, who signed him permanently by exercising a €6m buy option. Man United “gave up” on Alvaro Carreras Carreras enjoyed a phenomenal campaign in Portugal and earned himself a big-money move to Real Madrid over the summer.  Piotr Sadowski, who was United’s Central European scout for seven-and-a-half years, has criticised the club’s handling of the Spaniard. “He came to Manchester United when he was probably 16 (in 2020),” Sadowski said in an interview with Polish outlet Przeglad Sportowy (via the Manchester Evening News). “A very hard-working and ambitious boy, he learned the language quickly – I know because I met him personally. “Initially, his career path was quite good. He was loaned to Preston, and received good reviews, and (then) United gave up on him, selling him to Benfica for a small fee.” “Carreras is a truly top-class player. There’s a good chance he’ll become the best, or one of the best, left-backs in the world. It was a huge mistake for United to let him go.” Real Madrid delighted with their investment Carreras has received plenty of plaudits for his start at Santiago Bernabeu, having already established himself as an undisputed starter out wide under Xabi Alonso. Recently, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming Real value the 22-year-old at least at €80m. Los Blancos paid €50m to Benfica to bring him back to the Spanish capital.  Meanwhile, Amorim is believed to be working with Dorgu in training to help him reach his full potential. The United head coach has ordered the Dane to watch videos of Paris Saint-Germain left-back Nuno Mendes to learn how to effectively combine athleticism and skillset. Featured image Angel Martinez via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Vishal Singh Vishal has worked in the football media industry for over six years, planning, writing, and editing content for several major outlets, including North Star Network. Vishal has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Delhi University. Currently a writer at The Peoples Person, he covers Manchester United — a club he has been religiously following and supporting since 2012. Vishal also manages a leading MUFC fan page, The Red Devils, on Facebook with over a million likes. Big fan of ball-playing centre-backs and Harry Maguire’s knee-slide celebration!