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.

Álvaro Carreras
Personal information
Full nameÁlvaro Fernández Carreras[1]
Date of birth (2003-03-23) 23 March 2003 (age 21)
Place of birthFerrol, Spain[1]
Height1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
Position(s)Left-back
Team information
Current team
Benfica
Number3
Youth career
2007–2012Racing de Ferrol
2012–2017Deportivo de La Coruña
2017–2020Real Madrid
2020–2022Manchester United
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2022–2024Manchester United0(0)
2022–2023Preston North End (loan)39(0)
2023–2024Granada (loan)13(0)
2024Benfica (loan)11(1)
2024–Benfica0(0)
International career
2021Spain U192(0)
2023–Spain U217(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:49, 24 May 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15:51, 24 May 2024 (UTC)

Club career

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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.[2]

Manchester United

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Fernández signed for Manchester United from Real Madrid in September 2020 on a four-year contract,[3][4] amid interest from other European clubs such as Barcelona and Manchester City.[5] He began training with the first team during the early stages of the 2021–22 season.[6]

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.[7] He was also named on the bench against Brighton & Hove Albion.[8]

On 11 May 2022, Fernández was named Manchester United's U23 Player of the Year.[9] He departed the club in 2024 before making his debut for the senior team.

Preston North End (loan)

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On 26 July 2022, Fernández joined EFL Championship club Preston North End on loan for the duration of the 2022–23 season.[10][11] 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.[12]

Granada (loan)

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

Benfica

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On 17 January 2024, Manchester United sent Fernández on loan to Primeira Liga club Benfica until the end of the 2023–24 season.[15] 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.[16]

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.[17] 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.[18]

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.[19][20] Subsequently, he signed a new contract with Benfica until 2029.[21]

International career

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Fernández has played youth international football for Spain at under-19 and under-21 levels.[22] He made his debut for the under-19 team on 26 October 2021, when he started in a friendly match against Israel.[23]

Career statistics

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As of match played 17 May 2024[24]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester United U212020–21[25]1[a]010
2021–22[26]3[a]030
Total000000004040
Preston North End (loan)2022–23[27]Championship3902010420
Granada (loan)2023–24[28]La Liga13010140
Benfica (loan)2023–24Primeira Liga11110103[b]0161
Career total63140203040761
  1. ^ a b Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League

Honours

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Álvaro Carreras at WorldFootball.net
  2. ^ "Álvaro" (in Spanish). Real Madrid CF. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  3. ^ Railston, Steven (22 September 2021). "Who is Alvaro Fernandez? Profile of Manchester united's young talent". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Man Utd add three to academy including Alvaro Fernandez Carreras from Real Madrid". Sky Sports. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Alvaro Fernandez Carreras: Things to Know About the Exciting Young Defender". 90min.com. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  6. ^ Marshall, Adam (11 October 2021). "Training update from Carrington". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  7. ^ Robinson, Harry (28 April 2022). "The Academy players in United's matchday squad". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  8. ^ Marshall, Tyrone (6 May 2022). "Man United squad vs Brighton includes Harry Maguire and Alvaro Fernandez". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  9. ^ "Fernandez named U23s Player of the Year". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  10. ^ "Álvaro Fernández Checks In At Deepdale". PNEFC.net. Preston North End. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Fernandez signs new deal before loan move". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  12. ^ "Wigan Athletic 0-0 Preston North End: Latics held by 10-men visitors". BBC Sport. 30 July 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  13. ^ "Comunicado Oficial | Álvaro Fernández, nuevo jugador del Granada CF" [Official announcement | Álvaro Fernández, new player of Granada CF] (in Spanish). Granada CF. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  14. ^ "Comunicado Oficial | Álvaro Carreras" [Official Announcement | Álvaro Carreras] (in Spanish). Granada CF. 14 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  15. ^ "Álvaro Carreras reforça o Benfica!" [Álvaro Carreras reinforces Benfica!] (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Álvaro Fernández no Benfica: o valor do negócio e outras condições" [Álvaro Fernández at Benfica: the value of the deal and other conditions]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 16 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  17. ^ "Histórico. Estoril Praia na final da Taça da Liga" [Historical. Estoril Praia in the Taça da Liga final]. RTP Desporto (in Portuguese). 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  18. ^ Andrade, David (4 February 2024). "Benfica dá prova de força e assume a liderança" [Benfica proves its strength and takes the lead]. Público (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  19. ^ Critchley, Mark; Rai, Guillermo; more. "Man Utd's Fernandez joins Benfica on permanent basis". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  20. ^ "Fernandez joins Benfica on permanent deal". www.manutd.com. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  21. ^ "Álvaro Carreras signs for Benfica until 2029". S.L. Benfica. 26 May 2024.
  22. ^ "A. Fernández's matches". besoccer.com. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  23. ^ "Manchester United talent Alvaro Fernandez makes Spain U19 debut". United In Focus. 27 October 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  24. ^ Álvaro Carreras at Soccerway. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  25. ^ "Games played by Álvaro Carreras in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  26. ^ "Games played by Álvaro Carreras in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  27. ^ "Games played by Álvaro Carreras in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  28. ^ "Games played by Álvaro Carreras in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  29. ^ Robinson, Harry (11 May 2022). "Fernandez named Under-23s Player of the Year". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  30. ^ "2023 Player Award Winners". Preston North End. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.