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Spanish left-back Álvaro Fernández Carreras left Manchester United for Benfica on a permanent deal this summer after spending a period on loan with the Portuguese giants last season.
After loan spells with Preston North End and Spanish side Granada, the 21-year-old found his feet at Benfica and has hugely impressed during his time at the club, owing to the £5 million transfer.
As reported by Marca, Carreras has opened up on his time in Manchester and feels he could have been given more of an opportunity at United in-and-around his loan deals.
“I am one of those who think that, if they deserve it, they should be given it (a chance to play). If they don’t give you the opportunity you have to go out and show.
“It was my case: I had to go out to show in the Second Division, then in Granada it didn’t work very well either, but you have to go out and show. If you have it, they’re going to see it at any time,” he said.
Delving into his loan at Preston, the full-back feels the defensive side of his game improved a lot in the Championship with the attacking side of his game naturally the more comfortable.
“I think that when I learned more defensively is when I had to go to the mud, to the Second Division of England.
“I spent a season on loan at Preston and I improved a lot. I was more focused because going forward everything is easier for me, but defensively I concentrated more and this year I’m very happy,” said Alvaro.
Speaking on some of the players he was sharing a dressing room with at United, Carreras admitted he was in awe of some of the big names but stressed the importance of pulling together when crossing the white line.
“When I was 17 or 18 and I was in Manchester training with Cristiano, Rashford or Cavani you said: ‘wow’. But in the end you go out on the pitch and we’re all people. We all have to tighten. In the end it’s one ball and eleven players,” he said
Given Carreras’ fine form, he is catching the eye of Europe’s biggest clubs and there are strong rumours of a return to United with the Old Trafford club adding a buy back clause as part of his transfer in the summer.
Despite the growing interest, Carreras insists he is fully focused on playing well for Benfica where he has found it “easy” to settle.
“I’m focused on what I have to do because every three days I have a game. It’s always nice to be linked to teams and everyone wants to grow, but I’m very good here. United have an option to buy that is signed, but I’m very happy here,” he added.
No doubt United will continue to monitor his development closely and given new head coach Ruben Amorim’s connection with the Portuguese league, a return to Manchester may well be on the cards.
With Luke Shaw’s continued injury absence and Tyrell Malacia only recently retuning from a huge lay off, there is obvious scope for a new left-back to be added to the squad and Carreras is certainly growing into a player with huge potential.
Feature image Carlos Rodrigues via Getty Images
