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Former Manchester United academy player Alvaro Fernandez Carreras is thriving away from Old Trafford for his new club SL Benfica.
An injury to regular left back Jan-Niklas Beste has given the player the perfect stage to show off his talent and he has not disappointed.
The Spaniard joined United in 2020 but despite impressive performances in the academy and a sensational loan to Preston North End, he never got the chance to make a senior appearance for the club.
After a poor loan move to Granada last season, he fared much better at Benfica and they were so impressed that they made his move permanent in the summer.
The 21 year old has been able to rack up numerous appearances in a row and is showing United exactly what they have been missing this season.
He has played seven times in total, including 90 minutes in the Champions League versus FK Crvena Zvezda.
Carreras has regularly scored over 7 on Sofascore for his performances and he was given a 7.5 in his latest effort away to Boavista.
He was solid defensively winning 100% of his aerial battles and a highly impressive six out of seven ground duels.
The Spaniard impressed on the ball as he usually does with an 88% pass accuracy.
It will be interesting to see if he will be able to continue to cement his starting position in the coming weeks and when Beste returns from injury.
With the presence of a buy back option and big sell-on clause in the deal, it is almost certain that the Old Trafford club will be paying close attention to their former player’s rise.
His progress will frustrate United fans even more as the club is currently in the midst of a left back crisis, with Luke Shaw’s return from injury once again delayed and Tyrell Malacia working his way slowly back to full fitness after over a year on the sidelines.
Feature image Carlos Rodrigues via Getty Images
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