Manchester United explores re-signing Álvaro Carreras from Real Madrid

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Manchester United explores re-signing Álvaro Carreras from Real Madrid

The left-back who left Old Trafford without a single senior appearance could return after a remarkable career detour through Lisbon and Madrid

by
Editorial Team

1 min ago

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Manchester United are weighing a move to bring back Álvaro Carreras, the 23-year-old left-back they let walk for a fraction of his current value just two years ago. The defender, now at Real Madrid, is reportedly seeking more playing time, and his former club is among those circling.

Carreras left United for Benfica in 2024 for roughly €6 million. Real Madrid then bought him from the Portuguese club in July 2025 for €50 million. United, for their part, collected an estimated £7 million sell-on fee from that deal. Now they may have to pay a premium to get him back.

The long way home

Born on March 23, 2003, Carreras started in Real Madrid’s famed La Fabrica academy before making the jump to Manchester United in September 2020. Carreras made zero senior appearances for Manchester United. Not a single one.

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The club eventually sold him to Benfica in 2024. In Lisbon, Carreras did what he couldn’t do in Manchester: he played. And he played well enough that Real Madrid decided they wanted him back. They paid €50 million for the privilege, signing him to a six-year contract in July 2025.

Why Carreras wants out (or at least more minutes)

Reports from April 2026 indicate Carreras is actively looking for more playing time. That search has put both Manchester United and Arsenal on alert.

For Carreras, the calculus is straightforward. He’s 23 years old, an age where consistent minutes matter more than a prestigious address on your contract.

What a return would mean for United

Carreras is under contract until 2031, meaning Madrid have absolutely no pressure to sell cheap. They paid €50 million for him less than a year ago.

Whether United can close this deal likely depends on how much Real Madrid demand, and whether Carreras himself prefers a return to Manchester over a move to North London. Given that he never actually played a senior match for United, there is no sentimental pull. If Arsenal can offer a more convincing sporting pitch, United’s history with the player becomes irrelevant.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.