Florian Plettenberg has the latest on Manchester United’s pursuit of Alvaro Carreras | OneFootball

Manchester United are serious about a potential deal for Benfica left-back Alvaro Carreras.

That is according to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, who has reported on X that United are looking to bring back the former Old Trafford left-back.

United head coach Ruben Amorim wants to sign a new left-back in the January transfer window.

However, if a potential deal for the Denmark international left-back does not go through, then the former Premier League and UEFA Champions League winners will try to sign Carreras before the window closes in February.

Record reported in October 2024 that United have a buy-back clause of €20 million (£16.80 million) in Carreras’s contract.

The 21-year-old left-back joined Benfica on a permanent contract in the summer of 2024 after a loan spell from United.

Plettenberg wrote: “Rúben Amorim is pushing hard to sign Patrick Dorgu before the end of this winter transfer window. The 20-y/o left fullback from Lecce is currently Amorim’s desired target, he has made that clear in recent days.

“If a move for Dorgu falls through, Manchester United are seriously considering activating the buy-back option to bring Álvaro Fernández back from SL Benfica.”

View: Alvaro Carreras would be a good signing for Manchester United

Carreras was on the books of United from 2020 until 2024. He could not get into the first team and had loan spells at Preston North End, Granada and Benfica before joining the Portuguese giants on a permanent contract.

The 21-year-old Spain Under-21 international left-back has been superb for Benfica and has now established himself as one of the better players in his position in Europe.

Carreras has scored two goals and given one assist in 16 starts and two substitute appearances in Liga Portugal and has provided one assist in seven UEFA Champions League matches so far this season.

United are in dire need of a new left-back. While Luke Shaw is a very good player, he hardly stays fit and cannot be relied upon.