Álvaro Carreras

Álvaro Fernández Carreras (born 23 March 2003) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Primeira Liga club Benfica.

Club career

Real Madrid

Born in Ferrol, Carreras started his career with Galicia de Caranza, before joining his hometown club Racing de Ferrol in 2007. During his time with the club, he played as a forward, scoring 100 goals in a season in the youth ranks. He joined Deportivo de La Coruña's youth ranks in 2012, where he was converted to a left-back, before moving to Real Madrid in 2017.

Manchester United

Carreras signed for Manchester United from Real Madrid in September 2020 on a four-year contract, amid interest from other European clubs such as Barcelona and Manchester City. He began training with the first team during the early stages of the 2021–22 season.

Carreras was a regular for the under-23 team in his first season at Manchester United, making 20 league appearances and one in the EFL Trophy, as well as seven for the under-18s, and two in the FA Youth Cup. He then played 21 times in the league in 2021–22, all as a starter, as well as playing in all three EFL Trophy matches and six of the seven in the UEFA Youth League. He received his first call-up to the Manchester United first team in April 2022, when he was named on the bench for the Premier League match at home to Chelsea. He was also named on the bench against Brighton & Hove Albion.

On 11 May 2022, Carreras was named Manchester United's U23 Player of the Year. He departed the club in 2024 before making his debut for the senior team.

Preston North End (loan)

On 26 July 2022, Carreras joined EFL Championship club Preston North End on loan for the duration of the 2022–23 season. He made his debut on 30 July 2022, coming on as a 72nd-minute substitute for Robbie Brady in a 0–0 draw away at Wigan Athletic.

Granada (loan)

On 1 September 2023, Carreras joined La Liga club Granada on a season-long loan. On 14 January 2024, he was recalled by Manchester United.

Benfica

On 17 January 2024, Manchester United sent Carreras on loan to Primeira Liga club Benfica until the end of the 2023–24 season. The loan deal included an optional buy-clause, reported to be €6 million, which became mandatory if he started 50% of Benfica's remaining games during the loan spell.

Seven days later, Carreras made his debut for Benfica, coming on as a second-half substitute in the Taça da Liga semi-final against Estoril; the game ended 1–1, with Benfica being subsequently eliminated by penalty shootout. On 4 February, he made his Primeira Liga debut, coming off the bench to replace Morato during the second half of a 3–0 victory over Gil Vicente at the Estádio da Luz.

On 26 May 2024, Manchester United announced that Benfica had exercised the €6 million buy option in Carreras' loan contract, which included €3 million in potential add-ons. Subsequently, he signed a new contract with Benfica until 2029.

International career

Carreras has played youth international football for Spain at under-19 and under-21 levels. He made his debut for the under-19 team on 26 October 2021, when he started in a friendly match against Israel.

Personal life

Originally known as Álvaro Fernández, he later adopted his maternal surname, Carreras, in his career. However, Manchester United listed him under his paternal surname, Fernández, for the group stage of the 2021–22 UEFA Youth League. According to Álvaro, this decision made "both his mother and father happy".