Álvaro Carreras has been a revelation for Real Madrid. The left-back, who picked up Lamine Yamal in El Clasico, scored his first goal for Madrid against Valencia on Saturday night. Why on earth did Manchester United allow him to leave Old Trafford?
Carreras, not Trent Alexander-Arnold, is on the list of new signings for Xabi Alonso’s side as they return to the north-west of England for Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Liverpool on Tuesday night.
The 22-year-old, who blossomed at Benfica, already looks like a bargain considering the £43m transfer fee Madrid paid for him. Not too long ago, when United were struggling with Sergio Reguilon and Sofian Amrabat at left-back, it all seemed a little strange.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Álvaro Carreras scores Real Madrid’s first goal with a screamer against Valencia
Instead, Carreras, England’s only first-team footballer, was loaned to Preston North End, where there was similar mistrust. “I can’t believe United didn’t take him back when they had an obligation to buy him back from Benfica,” Gallagher told Sky Sports.
Gallagher will be Preston’s first-team coach throughout the 2022/23 Championship season, while Carreras was named United’s Reserve Team Player of the Year and the club’s Young Player of the Year last season. He developed in Deepdale.
Alvaro Carreras in action for Preston North End against West Brom in 2022
“Right away I could see the true quality of his game,” Gallagher recalled. “We played him as a left wing-back and you could see he was very comfortable on the ball. He got people out of their seats at left wing-back with his dribbling and passing skills.”
Furthermore, he added: “Technically he’s very good, but he’s also got an incredible mentality that wants to learn. First and foremost he’s a really good kid, he’s got a great personality and he’s very polite. That was noticeable at Preston because he had to learn quickly.”
“It’s tough in the championship. You have to be tough, you have to win duels, and he showed that. In fairness to him, when the going gets tough, not just all the qualities, he’s going to roll up his sleeves and do really well.”
Preston manager Ryan Rowe has had to manage his playing time, including keeping him on the bench for both games against Millwall to allow him to adapt. “Sometimes you have to bring young players in and out, and this was his first loan out,” Gallagher explained.
“That could have been a drop-in-the-penny moment for him, but he wasn’t afraid to get stuck in. He got kicked a few times that season, but he managed to get by and the Preston fans loved him for that. He was getting into the tackles and coming out with the ball.”
Carreras is now taking that approach to the Champions League. In his recent match against Juventus, he won 11 matches in a 1-0 win at the Bernabéu, becoming the first defender to win so many duels without losing in more than 10 years of competition.
Gallagher had hoped to loan Carreras to Stoke next season, but the player had been eyeing a move to La Liga from Granada before being granted a permanent move from United to Benfica in January last year. Madrid came calling in the summer.
It was a chance for Carreras to return to the Spanish giants, having spent time in Madrid’s youth ranks before signing a four-year deal with United at the age of 17. Gallagher was one of the first players to send a message to his former player congratulating him on his move.
“One thing about Alvaro and his character is that he really believes in his abilities. He probably knew a long time ago that he was good enough to play for Manchester United and had the courage to go and prove it. Now he has achieved his dream move to Real Madrid.”
“It’s no surprise to me that he’s doing so well right now. What I always say about the best young players is that you only tell them once, and that was true for Alvaro as well. When a young player takes it to heart for the first time, then you just know they’re going to go to the top.”
“His attitude was great. He wanted to learn, do extra practice after training and develop. He wants to play at the highest level and will soon be playing for the Spanish national team and going to the World Cup and so on, because he is very good.”
In fact, he has already proven himself to be an asset for Madrid this season, both defensively and offensively. When given the daunting task of marking Yamal against Barcelona, his eye-catching performance erased any deep-rooted doubts about his defensive acumen.
“Alvaro would have enjoyed that too,” Gallagher says. “He believed he was the best full-back in the world and went into the game with the intention of coming back.” In the next game against Valencia, he won a penalty and scored a stunning goal.
“He has great quality to create in the final third. He’s a modern-day full-back, but he also has the quality to come back and work hard to help the team. Preston fans liked that about him, coaches and fans all like players like that.”
“He plays with that personality, energy and belief in himself. It’s not overconfidence, just believing in his abilities. That’s why he’s at one of the best clubs in the world.” Victory for the extraordinary Alvaro Carreras, who was somehow overlooked at Manchester United.
