Manchester United’s search for a long-term left-back just got a lot more complicated. And it’s not because of the usual reasons — money, agent drama, or a player holding out for a bigger club. It’s because the guy they used to have in their own academy might not actually be leaving Real Madrid this summer, despite what the rumor mill suggested a few weeks ago.
Alvaro Carreras, the 23-year-old Spaniard who came up through United’s youth system before being sold to Benfica and then flipped to Real Madrid for €50 million last summer, was widely expected to be on the move again. Los Blancos just brought in Marc Cucurella from Chelsea, and with two left-backs on the roster for one spot, someone had to go. That someone looked like it would be Carreras or Fran Garcia. But according to The Athletic, the situation isn’t that clean.
Mourinho isn’t sold. But he’s not selling either.
Here’s the weird part. Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho — reportedly not convinced by Carreras’ game — apparently doesn’t plan to move him this summer. The Athletic notes that while Carreras’ profile doesn’t fit what Mourinho wants in an attacking full-back, the people close to the player say he’s staying put. The reasoning? It’s only been a year since Real paid €50 million for him. That’s a lot of money to eat after one season, even by Madrid’s standards.
Mourinho has apparently sketched out a system where his right-back — someone like Trent Alexander-Arnold or Denzel Dumfries — gets freedom to push forward, while the left-back (Cucurella or Carreras) stays more contained. That’s not exactly ideal for a guy who made his name getting forward at Benfica. But Real’s not about to sell a €50 million asset at a loss just because the manager isn’t thrilled.
So where does that leave United?
United’s left-back situation is a mess and has been for a minute. Luke Shaw turns 31 next month and has a medical file thicker than a phone book. Tyrell Malacia is gone. Patrick Dorgu has been productive but in an attacking role that doesn’t exactly scream “defensive stability.” Harry Amass wants another loan. Diego Leon hasn’t touched the first team yet. The club needs a real answer at the position, not just a patch.
They’ve been linked with Newcastle’s Lewis Hall, who’s Premier League-proven and younger than Carreras. But Hall would cost a fortune too, and Newcastle isn’t exactly running a fire sale. Carreras, for all his talent, would be a risk at €50 million — especially since he’s never played a minute for United’s senior side and only managed two goals and three assists in 40 games last season for a struggling Real Madrid team.
The irony here is hard to miss. United had Carreras in their system, let him leave for nothing after winning their U23 Player of the Year award in 2022, and now might have to pay through the nose to bring him back — if Real even lets him go. The sell-on clause they got from the Benfica deal softened the blow, but it’s still a bruise that won’t heal.
For now, the smart money says Carreras stays in Madrid. Which means United’s left-back hunt probably ends somewhere else. Maybe Hall. Maybe someone we haven’t heard much about yet. But one thing is clear: this isn’t getting sorted quickly.
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