Former Manchester United Player Alvaro Carreras Joins Real Madrid From Benfica

Published

1 year ago

July 15, 2025

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Former Manchester United Player Alvaro Carreras Joins Real Madrid From Benfica—-Real Madrid have just confirm the addition Manchester United academy player Alvaro Carreras from Benfica after his stellar season with with the Portuguese giant for the just concluded 2024/25 season.

Carreras has signed a six-year deal with his former club, running to 2031, and is set to be presented to supporters on Tuesday afternoon.

The Athletic reported on July 10 that the two clubs had agreed to a deal worth €50million (£43.18m, $58.42m) that sees the Spain youth international return to Madrid after spending time in their academy.

Manchester United, who signed Carreras from Real in 2020, negotiated a sell-on clause worth 20 per cent of any profit on a future transfer when they sold the defender to Benfica, so will earn around €8.8m from the deal.

Madrid had been working on a deal for the 22-year-old for several weeks and had hoped to complete the signing before the Club World Cup, but Benfica also wanted him to represent them at the tournament in the United States.

Carreras joined Madrid in 2017 from Deportivo La Coruna and spent three years in the team’s academy before joining United in 2020. He never appeared for the senior side and had loan spells at English Championship club Preston North End and Spanish club Granada before moving to Benfica in January 2024, initially on a sixth-month loan deal. The move was made permanent at the end of the season.

Madrid have been moving to reinvent their defence, having already completed the signings of Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool and Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth. They have also signed 17-year-old midfielder Franco Mastantuono from River Plate.

Xabi Alonso was appointed as the team’s head coach in May, replacing Carlo Ancelotti.

‘A homegrown answer at left-back’

Analysis by Real Madrid correspondent Guillermo Rai

Madrid have lacked consistency at left-back due to repeated injuries suffered by Ferland Mendy and a lack of confidence in Fran Garcia in recent years, so Carreras’ signing was key for Los Blancos.

They previously explored the possibility of signing Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies in that position before the Canada international renewed with the Bundesliga side earlier this year.

Carreras spent three years in the youth ranks at Madrid from 2017-2020 but a lack of opportunities led to him joining Manchester United’s academy. The left-back shone there and was named their best Under-23 player in 2022, when he started training with the first team.

But the Spaniard was not part of Erik Ten Hag’s plans and was sent on loan to Preston North End, Granada and Benfica. It was a wide range of experiences in the space of two years which saw him join Benfica permanently last year.

Madrid will also be pleased to bring in another homegrown player, a key requirement for their Champions League squad, after the exit of several academy graduates over recent years.

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Jay Dasilva Goal Ends Coventry City’s 25-Year Wait for Premier League Victory

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18 hours ago

September 20, 2026

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Jay Dasilva Goal Ends Coventry City’s 25-Year Wait for Premier League Victory—-Jay Dasilva struck in the second half as Frank Lampard’s Coventry City secured a historic 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest to record their first Premier League win since April 2001.

Coventry City finally ended their 25-year wait for a Premier League victory after Jay Dasilva’s second-half strike secured a memorable 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

The victory marked Coventry’s first three points in the Premier League since April 2001, when they defeated Sunderland before suffering relegation at the end of that season. Their return to the top flight had begun with four consecutive defeats without scoring, making Saturday’s breakthrough particularly significant.

Frank Lampard’s side entered the encounter under pressure after a difficult start to life back in the Premier League. The newly promoted Sky Blues had lost to some of the division’s strongest sides, including Arsenal and Manchester City, before suffering a heavy 5-0 defeat against Brighton in their previous outing.

However, Coventry produced a disciplined performance against Forest and grew into the contest as the match progressed.

After a goalless first half, the breakthrough arrived in the 55th minute.

Goalkeeper Carl Rushworth launched a long delivery forward, which Dasilva controlled brilliantly before cutting inside and bending a composed finish beyond Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels.

The goal ended Coventry’s wait for their first Premier League goal of the season and gave Lampard’s men something to protect for the remainder of the contest.

Forest pushed for an equaliser and came close when Igor Jesus produced an effort that was cleared off the line by Coventry defender Bobby Thomas.

The hosts eventually thought they had rescued a point in the 86th minute when Jesus found the net. However, the goal was reviewed by VAR after referee Jarred Gillett was sent to the pitchside monitor.

Gillett subsequently ruled that Jesus had fouled Coventry midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi in the build-up, cancelling the equaliser and allowing Coventry to retain their lead.

The decision sparked frustration among the home supporters, but Coventry held firm through the closing stages to secure a landmark victory.

The result brings an end to a remarkable wait for Coventry supporters. The club’s previous Premier League victory came more than 25 years ago, and the Sky Blues subsequently endured a turbulent period that included a spell in the fourth tier of English football.

For Lampard, the victory provides a major boost after four successive defeats at the beginning of Coventry’s top-flight campaign.

“It feels great, it feels amazing,” Lampard said after the match, praising his players for their work and resilience.

The victory also gave Coventry their first points and first goal of the Premier League season, lifting them from the bottom of the table.

Dasilva’s decisive strike will now be remembered as the goal that ended Coventry’s long wait for a Premier League victory and gave the club renewed belief as they continue their battle to establish themselves among England’s top-flight sides.

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Falconets Face Colombia in U-20 World Cup Quarter-Final Showdown

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18 hours ago

September 20, 2026

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Falconets Face Colombia in U-20 World Cup Quarter-Final Showdown—-Nigeria’s Falconets will battle Colombia in Łódź as they chase a return to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2014.

Nigeria’s Falconets will face Colombia on Sunday in a crucial quarter-final clash at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.

The encounter is scheduled for 3:00pm local time in Poland, 2:00pm Nigerian time, at the Stadion Miejski ŁKS in Łódź, according to FIFA’s official tournament schedule.

Nigeria reached the last eight after producing one of their strongest performances of the tournament, defeating England 3-0 in the Round of 16. Tosin Rafiu opened the scoring in the eighth minute before Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei doubled the advantage shortly after half-time. Mary Mamudu then completed the victory in the 73rd minute.

The result represented a major turnaround for the Falconets, who had endured a difficult start to the competition. Moses Aduku’s side lost 2-0 to Spain in their opening Group F fixture before drawing 0-0 with China.

Nigeria responded emphatically in their final group match, destroying New Caledonia 10-1 to secure second place in the group and progress to the knockout stage.

Colombia Stand in Nigeria’s Way

Colombia booked their quarter-final ticket by eliminating tournament hosts Poland with a 1-0 victory in the Round of 16.

The decisive moment came late in the match when a Polish own goal handed Colombia victory and sent them into the last eight. FIFA described Colombia as a resilient side capable of surviving pressure, making Sunday’s encounter a demanding test for Nigeria.

The match will be the first meeting between Nigeria and Colombia at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, although the two nations have crossed paths at youth level before.

Falconets Chase Historic Return

Nigeria are two-time runners-up at the U-20 Women’s World Cup, having reached the final in 2010 and 2014. Their last appearance in the semi-finals came in 2014, meaning victory over Colombia would take the Falconets back into the last four for the first time in 12 years.

The Falconets have also established themselves as one of the tournament’s most experienced teams, having featured at every edition since the competition began in 2002.

Coach Moses Aduku has urged his players to remain focused despite their impressive victory over England, stressing that the team must quickly move on from the Round of 16 triumph and concentrate on the next challenge.

A Place in the Semi-Finals Awaits

The winner of Nigeria and Colombia will advance to the semi-finals, where they will face the winner of the quarter-final between DPR Korea and Canada on September 23.

For the Falconets, the objective is clear: continue the momentum from their emphatic win over England, overcome Colombia and move one step closer to a first-ever FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title.

With the tournament now entering its decisive stage, Nigeria will hope their recent resurgence can carry them beyond the quarter-finals and back among the world’s final four.

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