Manchester United have done a lot wrong in the transfer market in recent years, with ill-judged departures almost as significant as poorly planned signings.
Scott McTominay left last year and won the Serie A title with Napoli, not to mention picking up that division’s MVP award after a stunning campaign in Italy.
Anthony Elanga has just made a big-money move to Newcastle United after shining at Nottingham Forest, who picked him up from the Red Devils two years ago for £15m.
The strange case of Alvaro Carreras
That same summer, Alvaro Carreras joined Spanish side Granada on a season-long loan which was cut short in January 2024 to facilitate another loan, this time to Benfica.
Last year the Portuguese giants exercised the €6m option to buy the Spanish left-back, who despite playing well in a problem position for United never made a senior appearance for them.
His exit was sanctioned by the now-departed Erik ten Hag, who opted for the injury-prone Luke Shaw and unreliable Tyrell Malacia as his main picks at left-back.
The Dutchman at times even turned to playing the likes of on-loan Sofyan Amrabat in the role, leaving fans excited for Carreras’ return and inclusion in the first team squad – something which never came to pass.
Real interest
After predictably impressing with Benfica, it was only a matter of time until Europe’s heavyweights entered the frame for the 22-year-old’s signature, and Real Madrid ultimately won the race for a fairytale ending.
The youngster was poached from Los Blancos’ academy in 2020, so a return to the La Liga giants doubtless appealed to player and club alike.
Nevertheless, United held the key to any such deal by dint of the buyback clause contained within the sale to Benfica, which gave them first refusal in case of his departure from the Estadio da Luz.
United decision
It was an opportunity to create some unexpected drama in an otherwise underwhelming transfer window. But United were never seriously expected to take up the option, especially having signed Patrick Dorgu earlier in the year.
Fabrizio Romano reported yesterday that Carreras’ move to Madrid hinged on the Red Devils sending an email to confirm they wouldn’t activate their buyback clause.
The journalist emphasised then that the club were not interested in doing so, and updated fans today with confirmation.
“Man United confirm they won’t activate buy back option so deal now sealed,” he said, indicating that the total fee comes to €50m and the player will undergo a medical shortly.
🚨⚪️ EXCLUSIVE: Álvaro Carreras can be considered new Real Madrid player as he will travel to Madrid today!
Medical booked, player now authorized to travel.
Man Utd confirm they won’t activate buy back option so deal now sealed.
€50m in installments. Here we go, confirmed. pic.twitter.com/sAl4dJ0TqP
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 11, 2025
INEOS will console themselves with the reported 20% sell-on fee that was also included in the transfer to Benfica, although fans will be left wondering what could have been had the young talent been given a chance at Old Trafford.
Feature image Carlos Rodrigues via Getty Images
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Joe Ponting
Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried.
