Álvaro Carreras Explained

Álvaro Carreras
Full Name:Álvaro Fernández Carreras
Birth Date:23 March 2003
Birth Place:Ferrol, Spain
Height:1.86 m
Position:Left-back
Currentclub:Benfica
Clubnumber:3
Youthyears1:2007–2012
Youthclubs1:Racing de Ferrol
Youthyears2:2012–2017
Youthclubs2:Deportivo de La Coruña
Youthyears3:2017–2020
Youthclubs3:Real Madrid
Youthyears4:2020–2022
Youthclubs4:Manchester United
Years1:2022–2024
Clubs1:Manchester United
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2022–2023
Clubs2:Preston North End (loan)
Caps2:39
Goals2:0
Years3:2023–2024
Clubs3:Granada (loan)
Caps3:13
Goals3:0
Years4:2024
Clubs4:Benfica (loan)
Caps4:11
Goals4:1
Years5:2024–
Clubs5:Benfica
Caps5:0
Goals5:0
Nationalyears1:2021
Nationalteam1:Spain U19
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2023–
Nationalteam2:Spain U21
Nationalcaps2:7
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:15:49, 24 May 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:15:51, 24 May 2024 (UTC)

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

Born in Ferrol, Fernández started his career with Galicia de Caranza, Racing de Ferrol and Deportivo de La Coruña, before joining Real Madrid in 2017.[1]

Manchester United

Fernández signed for Manchester United from Real Madrid in September 2020 on a four-year contract,[2] [3] amid interest from other European clubs such as Barcelona and Manchester City.[4] He began training with the first team during the early stages of the 2021–22 season.[5]

Fernández 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.[6] He was also named on the bench against Brighton & Hove Albion.[7]

On 11 May 2022, Fernández was named Manchester United's U23 Player of the Year.[8] He departed the club in 2024 before making his debut for the senior team.

Preston North End (loan)

On 26 July 2022, Fernández joined EFL Championship club Preston North End on loan for the duration of the 2022–23 season.[9] [10] Fernández 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.[11]

Granada (loan)

On 1 September 2023, Fernández joined La Liga club Granada on a season-long loan.[12] On 14 January 2024, he was recalled by Manchester United.[13]

Benfica

On 17 January 2024, Manchester United sent Fernández on loan to Primeira Liga club Benfica until the end of the 2023–24 season.[14] 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.[15]

Seven days later, Fernández 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.[16] 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.[17]

On 26 May 2024, Manchester United announced that Benfica had exercised the €6 million buy option in Fernández's loan contract, which included €3 million in potential add-ons.[18] [19] Subsequently, he signed a new contract with Benfica until 2029.[20]

International career

Fernández has played youth international football for Spain at under-19 and under-21 levels.[21] He made his debut for the under-19 team on 26 October 2021, when he started in a friendly match against Israel.[22]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester United U212020–211010
2021–223030
Total000000004040
Preston North End (loan)2022–23Championship3902010420
Granada (loan)2023–24La Liga13010140
Benfica (loan)2023–24Primeira Liga111101030161
Career total63140203040761

Honours

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Álvaro. 31 December 2021. Real Madrid CF. es.
  2. Web site: Railston. Steven. 22 September 2021. Who is Alvaro Fernandez? Profile of Manchester united's young talent. 8 December 2021. Manchester Evening News.
  3. Web site: Man Utd add three to academy including Alvaro Fernandez Carreras from Real Madrid. 8 December 2021. Sky Sports.
  4. Web site: Alvaro Fernandez Carreras: Things to Know About the Exciting Young Defender. 8 December 2021. 90min.com.
  5. News: Adam . Marshall . Training update from Carrington . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 11 October 2021 . 4 January 2022 .
  6. News: Harry . Robinson . The Academy players in United's matchday squad . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 28 April 2022 . 28 April 2022 .
  7. News: Marshall . Tyrone . 6 May 2022 . Man United squad vs Brighton includes Harry Maguire and Alvaro Fernandez . 7 May 2022 . Manchester Evening News.
  8. News: Fernandez named U23s Player of the Year . 11 May 2022 . 16 May 2022 . ManUtd.com . Manchester United .
  9. Web site: Álvaro Fernández Checks In At Deepdale. PNEFC.net. 26 July 2022. 26 July 2022. Preston North End.
  10. News: Fernandez signs new deal before loan move. ManUtd.com . Manchester United. 26 July 2022 . 26 July 2022 .
  11. Web site: Wigan Athletic 0-0 Preston North End: Latics held by 10-men visitors. BBC Sport. 30 July 2022. 26 September 2022.
  12. Web site: Comunicado Oficial Álvaro Fernández, nuevo jugador del Granada CF. Official announcement Álvaro Fernández, new player of Granada CF. Granada CF. es. 1 September 2023. 2 September 2023.
  13. Web site: 14 January 2024 . Comunicado Oficial Álvaro Carreras . Official Announcement Álvaro Carreras . 14 January 2024 . Granada CF . es.
  14. Web site: 17 January 2024 . Álvaro Carreras reforça o Benfica! . Álvaro Carreras reinforces Benfica! . 17 January 2024 . S.L. Benfica . pt.
  15. News: 16 January 2024 . Álvaro Fernández no Benfica: o valor do negócio e outras condições . Álvaro Fernández at Benfica: the value of the deal and other conditions . 17 January 2024 . . pt.
  16. Web site: 24 January 2024 . Histórico. Estoril Praia na final da Taça da Liga . Historical. Estoril Praia in the Taça da Liga final . 24 January 2024 . RTP Desporto . pt.
  17. News: Andrade . David . 4 February 2024 . Benfica dá prova de força e assume a liderança . Benfica proves its strength and takes the lead . 4 February 2024 . . pt-pt.
  18. News: Critchley . Mark . Rai . Guillermo . more . Man Utd's Fernandez joins Benfica on permanent basis . 2024-05-27 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  19. Web site: Fernandez joins Benfica on permanent deal . 2024-05-27 . www.manutd.com . en.
  20. Web site: Álvaro Carreras signs for Benfica until 2029 . S.L. Benfica . 26 May 2024 .
  21. Web site: A. Fernández's matches . besoccer.com . 24 May 2024.
  22. Web site: 27 October 2021. Manchester United talent Alvaro Fernandez makes Spain U19 debut. 8 December 2021. United In Focus.
  23. News: Robinson . Harry . 11 May 2022 . Fernandez named Under-23s Player of the Year . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 3 February 2023.
  24. Web site: 8 May 2023 . 2023 Player Award Winners . 2 September 2023 . Preston North End .