Real Madrid Expose Manchester United Transfer Mistake in Stunning El Clasico Win
Real Madrid is the most recent team to profit from a transfer error committed by Manchester United in recent years.
Marcus Rashford was the main attraction for United during Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Barcelona, but another former player drew attention at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Alvaro Carreras was once a member of United’s roster but was sold before he appeared in the team’s first squad.
Trending
He currently plays left defender for Madrid. WANDERLUSTSPORT have carefully examined Carreras’ career thus far and the reasons United regrets selling him.
Do You Still Remember Carreras Days In Man United ?
Carreras joined United at the age of 17 after electing to leave Real Madrid at the end of the 2019–20 season, and he quickly rose to prominence in their youth ranks.
Following in the traditions of Nicky Butt, John O’Shea, and Darren Fletcher, he was named the Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year in 2021–2022.
During the final four Premier League games of Ralf Rangnick’s tenure at the end of the 2021–2022 season, the left-back was included in the first team squad but was never utilised as a replacement.
In pursuit of consistent first-team play, he signed a season-long loan with Championship team Preston North End, where he made 42 appearances and was named Young Player of the Year in 2022–2023.
In the summer of 2023, Carreras—then known as Alvaro Fernandez—participated in United’s preseason friendlies against Wrexham, Leeds United, Lyon, and Athletic Bilbao. He recorded an assist against Wrexham.
Luke Shaw suffered a muscular injury at the beginning of the 2023–2024 season, while Tyrell Malacia had knee surgery, but he didn’t play competitively under Erik ten Hag.
They bought Sergio Reguilon from Tottenham on a season-long loan and shipped the defender to Getafe rather than give him a chance.
Carreras was reportedly appreciated for his pace and attacking ability, but many in the background believed he needed to strengthen his defence.
Ten Hag also thought he was better suited to a back-three formation, struggled against speedy players, and was too slow for the Premier League.
What was the message I received from United? In December 2023, Carreras told The Athletic, “I should go out on loan, Ten Hag didn’t count on me, and I should continue to gain experience and rhythm, and we’ll see what happens in the future.”
But it’s obvious that you have to keep working and that football doesn’t stop at a club. My first goal is to go back to United and establish myself there.
Throughout the 2023–2024 season, left-back continued to be a concern for United, with Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, and Sofyan Amrabat serving as temporary replacements.
Carreras made just five La Liga starts for Granada before United chose to recall him in January 2024. However, his return to Manchester was short-lived.
After he signed a new loan with Benfica, they exercised their option to purchase him at the end of the current campaign, paying €6 million (£5.2 million) plus a further €3 million (£2.6 million) in prospective add-ons.
Analyzing Is Performance At Real MadridÂ
Carreras continued to improve at Benfica, and in the summer, Real Madrid paid €50 million (£43.6 million) to bring the left-back back to the Bernabeu.
Since then, he has made a name for himself on Xabi Alonso’s Madrid roster, starting 12 of the team’s first 13 games across all competitions in 2025–2026.
The 22-year-old has been strong defensively in their back four system, proving United and Ten Hag incorrect. He produced a fantastic goal-saving clearance in a 2-1 victory over Mallorca.
His speed, directness, and ability to overlap make him a reliable attacking option for Madrid, even though he hasn’t scored or assisted this season. “I had high hopes for his signing.”
I’ve been pleasantly impressed by his competitive spirit and personality,” Alonso remarked in September.
He is extremely focused, has excellent mental, tactical, and technical skills, and is very complete. He also makes very few mistakes.
It is wonderful news that he has made such an immediate impact. His performance is outstanding, but we also have Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia for that role.
At the weekend’s El Clásico, the left-back faced off against Lamine Yamal of Barcelona, who is considered one of the world’s top players.
For most of the game, he was able to neutralise Yamal’s threat, keeping the winger from getting a single attempt on goal at the Bernabeu.
Marcus Rashford, a United loanee, scored Barcelona’s lone goal from the opposite flank with his eighth assist of the year.
With two tackles, three clearances, three interceptions, six recoveries, and one opportunity, Carreras helped Madrid win 2-1 and take a five-point lead in the La Liga standings.
Carreras is still making an impression at Madrid, but United is regretting their choice to let go of the left-back.
In November 2024, Ruben Amorim took Ten Hag’s place in the United dugout and started using his preferred 3-4-2-1 system at Old Trafford.
In the January transfer window, he signed Patrick Dorgu from Leece for up to £29.1 million after determining that left-wing back needed improvement.
With just two assists in his first 29 games for the team, Dorgu has not yet proven himself in a United uniform and has come under fire for his offensive production.
In recent weeks, the Danish international has been benched in United’s victories over Brighton, Liverpool, and Sunderland.
He hauled down Yankuba Minteh while playing one-on-one with Senne Lammens, earning him a booking just two minutes after he entered the game against Brighton.
Danny Welbeck gave his team a victory on the ensuing free kick, even though VAR examined the situation and determined that the caution didn’t need to be upgraded.
In the last three games, Dalot has started ahead of Dorgu; yet, the Portugal international appears much superior when playing on his preferred right-hand side.
Tyrell Malacia hasn’t played for United in nine months, and Luke Shaw, who was once a wing-back, is now a left-sided centre-back under Amorim.
After a challenging start to the season, United is now beginning to show signs of improvement under Amorim, but the left wing-back position is still their biggest weakness.
They could now need to look for another left-wing back because Carreras would have been a great fit under Amorim.
