Manchester United could buy back Benfica’s highly rated left-back Alvaro Carreras for a cut-price fee compared to the release clause other suitors would have to trigger, a report claims.

The Spanish defender moved from Real Madrid’s academy to United’s equivalent in September 2020. Carreras, who was previously known as Alvaro Fernandez, went on three different loan spells before permanently joining Benfica for a fee of £5m last summer without making a single senior appearance.

The Portuguese giants tied Carreras down to a five-year contract with a €50m (£41.7m) release clause, but United inserted a buy-back clause of €20m (£16.7m) into the deal, according to Record.

United’s decision to sell Carreras last summer raised a few eyebrows given the fitness struggles that have plagued the club’s two senior left-backs, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia. Right-back Diogo Dalot has started every Premier League and Europa League match this season on his unnatural flank.

Erik ten Hag’s side are not Carreras’ only former club interested in bringing him back. Real Madrid have been sniffing around the left-back, who spent two years on the books of the European champions before turning down a professional contract to sign for United during lockdown.

Barcelona have also been linked while United’s Premier League rivals, Liverpool, joined the crowded pack of potential suitors.

Carreras spent the second half of last season on loan at Benfica, only forcing his way into Roger Schmidt’s setup in the final month of the campaign. Schmidt was replaced at the end of August by former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss, Bruno Lage, who has consistently relied upon Carreras from the start.

The 21-year-old is yet to register an assist this season, but has been involved in the buildup to five goals from open play – a tally only two players in the Portuguese top flight can better, per FBref.

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