Erik ten Hag has hinted that Manchester United are interested in using their buy-back clause to sign in-form full-back Alvaro Carreras from Benfica.
The 21-year-old, better known as Alvaro Fernández during his time in England, was on the books at Old Trafford between 2020 and 2024 but failed to make a Premier League appearance. the red devils – being sent on loan to Preston North End, Granada and Benfica.
Benfica exercised the option to sign Carreras on a permanent deal in May 2024, and he has since become a key player for the Liga Portugal side.
Carreras’ impressive performances during the current 2024/25 season, coupled with the club’s current injury crisis at full-back, have led many Man Utd fans to question the decision to sell the young Spaniard.
Addressing these criticisms in a pre-match press conference, coach Ten Hag was keen to stress that the club has a repurchase clause that they can exercise.
“I think the process is perfect,” he said. “We loaned him to Preston, he came back, then we loaned him to Granada, he didn’t play that much, and of course we have been watching him all the time and now we had the opportunity to sell him.
“But we have a buyback (clause), so we have control over the situation, I think that’s what he needed.
“From Preston, then going to La Liga, going to Portugal (with Benfica), each time going up to a higher club and a better league. Now we have to see and assess the situation if it can be an option for us.
“But playing for Man Utd is not that easy, playing in the Premier League with Manchester United is not that easy. You need experience, also development. You get development playing for better clubs and in better leagues.”
Fortunately for United, the winger’s buy-back clause is believed to be just £16m, making him an incredibly financially viable option during the upcoming January transfer window.
