A former Manchester United scout has launched a scathing attack on the club, labelling their decision to sell Alvaro Carreras as a 'huge mistake' after the left-back's meteoric rise to prominence with Real Madrid.
The Path from Old Trafford to the Bernabeu
Piotr Sadowski, an ex-scout for the Red Devils, has publicly criticised the club's strategy of cashing in on their young prospects instead of nurturing them. The focus of his ire is the departure of Alvaro Carreras, who joined United as a youth player from Real Madrid back in 2020.
Carreras' journey at United saw him crowned the club's under-23 player of the season in 2022. Despite this promise, he never made a first-team appearance, though he was named on the bench for several Premier League fixtures. He gained experience through loan spells at Preston North End, Granada, and Benfica before his permanent departure to the Portuguese side in 2024 for a fee that could reach £7.8 million.
A Costly Error Becomes Painfully Clear
Just one year later, the true cost of that decision has become starkly evident. In the summer of 2025, Real Madrid secured Carreras' return for a staggering £43 million. While United will have been relieved to benefit from a sell-on clause worth £7.2 million, the profit made by Benfica underscores a significant missed opportunity for the Old Trafford club.
The Spanish giants were convinced by Carreras' impressive form at Benfica, where he contributed four goals and five assists in 52 matches last season. Since his high-profile move to Madrid, the 22-year-old has not slowed down, swiftly establishing himself as a key player under manager Xabi Alonso.
He has missed just eight minutes of La Liga action this term and started three of their four Champions League matches. Carreras marked his growing influence by scoring his first goal for Real Madrid in early November and has been instrumental in propelling the team to the top of the table, holding a three-point lead over rivals Barcelona.
A Scout's Personal Disappointment
Speaking to Przeglad Sportowy, Sadowski expressed his personal disappointment, having met Carreras during his time at the club. He described the player as a 'very hard-working and ambitious boy' who quickly learned English.
'Initially, his career path was quite good,' Sadowski stated. 'He was loaned to Preston, received good reviews, and then United gave up on him, selling him to Benfica for a small fee.'
He left no room for doubt about Carreras' current ability and future potential, declaring, '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.'
For Sadowski, the situation points to a broader failing at Manchester United. He concluded, '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.'
