Manchester United made a 'huge mistake' in allowing Alvaro Carreras to leave Old Trafford, according to former club scout Piotr Sadowski. The Spanish left-back, who joined United as a youth player from Real Madrid in 2020, was sold to Benfica for up to £7.8 million in 2024 without making a first-team appearance.
Carreras, 22, impressed on loan at Preston, Granada and Benfica before his permanent move. A sell-on clause saw United receive £7.2 million when Real Madrid signed him for £43 million this year. However, Sadowski believes United lacked the courage to invest in young talent.
Sadowski told Przeglad Sportowy: 'Carreras is a truly top-class player. There's a good chance he'll become the best, or one of the best, left-backs in the world. It was a huge mistake for United to let him go. Something is missing here and I think that something is United's lack of courage in investing in young players.'
Carreras has quickly established himself at Real Madrid under Xabi Alonso, missing only eight minutes of La Liga action this season and scoring his first goal for the club in early November. He has helped Los Blancos to the top of the table, three points clear of Barcelona.
