“It was a mistake to let him leave before but we could just trigger the buy-back clause in the contract. It is a good thing that we have full control over the situation” – Manchester United: Ten Hag suggests the possibility of triggering a ‘buy-back clause’ to bring back one of the best in the Premier League, stating ‘we have control’ over the situation.
Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, has hinted at the possibility of re-signing a former player through a “buy-back clause,” with a potential move either in January or next summer.
In the 2024 summer transfer period, United offloaded several players to raise funds for new signings. Among those sold were Scott McTominay, Mason Greenwood, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and left-back Alvaro Carreras, who left for Benfica in a deal valued around £5 million.
Carreras, a former Real Madrid youth prospect, joined Manchester United in 2020 but didn’t break into the first team. Instead, he gained experience through loan spells at Preston, Granada, and later Benfica.
Since his permanent transfer to Benfica, the 21-year-old has showcased remarkable skills this season, especially in the Champions League, where his performances against Red Star Belgrade and Atletico Madrid have garnered attention.
With Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia sidelined due to injuries, United’s left-back options have been limited. Although recent signing Noussair Mazraoui has been solid, Jonny Evans was deployed as a stand-in against Brentford when Mazraoui was not fully fit following a heart procedure.
Rumors are now swirling about Carreras possibly returning to Old Trafford, with additional interest reportedly coming from Liverpool, Barcelona, and Real Madrid.
Ten Hag expressed confidence in United’s “control over the situation” due to a £16 million buy-back clause, suggesting a return for Carreras could be on the cards.
“The progression has been ideal,” Ten Hag noted. “He went on loan to Preston, then to Granada, where he had limited game time. We kept track of him the entire time and eventually found the right moment to sell.”
“But with the buy-back clause, we keep our options open, which is exactly what he needed,” Ten Hag continued.
“His journey from Preston to La Liga, and now playing for Benfica in Portugal, has allowed him to climb to higher levels in increasingly competitive leagues. Now, it’s time to evaluate whether he might be a fit for us once more.”
“However, playing in the Premier League for Manchester United demands significant experience and development. Competing in top clubs and challenging leagues is where players grow,” he added.
