Former Man Utd scout blasts “huge mistake” after Alvaro Carreras rise at Real Madrid
A former Manchester United scout has slammed the club for allowing Alvaro Carreras to leave Old Trafford, insisting the young left-back is now proving he had the potential to become a world-class star.
Carreras left United in 2024 after a string of loans and just months after being named the club’s Under-23 Player of the Year. Benfica secured the defender in a deal worth up to £7.8m a fee that has since looked increasingly modest.
Real Madrid moved for the Spaniard this summer in a £43m transfer following a standout season in Portugal, where Carreras registered four goals and five assists across all competitions. United inserted a sell-on clause, earning them just over £7m from the move, but the decision to let him go entirely has now come under scrutiny.
Former United scout Piotr Sadowski, who worked closely with youth recruitment, believes the club failed to back a player who had both the mentality and talent to break through at Old Trafford.
“Alvaro came to United as a teenager and was one of the most driven young players we worked with,” Sadowski told Przeglad Sportowy. “He learned quickly, he adapted, and he kept improving. His loans were positive. Then United simply gave up and sold him for a small fee.”
The scout described Carreras as “top class” and tipped him to become one of Europe’s elite full-backs.
Since arriving at the Bernabéu, Carreras has barely missed a minute of league action under Xabi Alonso. The 22-year-old has already scored his first Madrid goal and has become a fixture on the left flank, helping the club open a three-point lead at the top of La Liga.
His performances in the Champions League have further impressed staff, with Real insiders already suggesting he could become a long-term starter in a position the club has been trying to stabilise for years.
Sadowski said Carreras’ departure is part of a broader pattern of United failing to show “courage” with academy graduates.
“This is not just about one player,” he argued. “United has been hesitant for years. They sign big names instead of trusting the talent they already have. Carreras is proof of what they lost.”
The comments come as United continue to overhaul their recruitment strategy under Ineos, with youth development expected to become a more prominent focus.
For now, Carreras is thriving in the Spanish capital and United are left to wonder whether they let a future superstar slip through their fingers.
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