Manchester United won two trophies during Erik ten Hag’s tenure, the FA Cup and the League Cup, but it was a colossal failure in almost every other way.
The Dutch manager finished third in his debut season, but things swiftly went south in season two. The Red Devils finished seventh the next season with 60 points, their lowest ranking in the top flight since 1989/90. He was fired after only nine Premier League games in 2024/25, having earned only 11 points.
The results were obviously dismal, and a large part of it was due to poor recruitment. Many of Ten Hag’s signings proved unsuccessful. Most notably, Antony was signed from former club Ajax for £86 million but went on to become one of the Premier League’s worst flops of all. Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana, Mason Mount, Casemiro, and Manuel Ugarte have all struggled to make an impact since joining Manchester United.
There has also been criticism about some sales. Scott McTominay, for example, was sold in the summer of 2024 but went on to lead Napoli to a Serie A title and is now considered one of the best midfielders in the world. Alvaro Carreras is another standout example.
Carreras Sold For €6 Million Now Thriving At Real Madrid
Carreras did not have the same impact at Old Trafford as McTominay, failing to make a professional game for the Red Devils, although he appeared to be an exceptional talent when he came in 2020 and was later voted the club’s Under 23 Player of the Year.
Despite his talent, Ten Hag believed Carreras was not quick enough for the Premier League and struggled against speedy players, therefore he was unwilling to give him a chance. He instead spent time on loan at Preston North End and Granada before joining Benfica in January 2024.
That, too, was an initial loan with an optional buy-clause worth €6 million that was later activated in May of the same year. The Spaniard appeared 68 times for the Portuguese giants before Real Madrid came in with a €50 million transfer in the summer of 2025.
Carreras, who has returned to his boyhood club, is beginning to impress. So far this season, he has started 11 La Liga games for Los Blancos at left-back, and Xabi Alonso’s side leads the table by seven points.
Most recently, he put up an amazing performance against Valencia, scoring a last-minute wonderstrike that sailed into the top corner to seal a 4-0 victory over Blanquinegros.
Watch Carreras’ goal against Valencia below:
https://www.reddit.com/?utm_source=embedv2&utm_medium=post_embed&utm_content=header&embed_host_url=https://www.givemesport.com/man-united-talent-erik-ten-hag-sold-cheap-shining-real-madrid-alvaro-carreras/
Fans Unhappy Over Carreras’ Man Utd Exit
Carreras was sold cheaply and went on to become a €50 million footballer, so it’s understandable that Man Utd fans are upset with previous manager Ten Hag for letting him leave without even playing one game. After his recent Madrid performance, one irate fan remarked:
“Ten Hag chose Amrabat/Malacia above Alvaro and did not give him a single minute. We had a £16.7 million buyback clause this summer and chose to sign Dorgu for £30.8 million.”
Another stated, “Erik Ten Hag belongs in prison. He signed Sergio Reguillon on an emergency loan rather than playing him. Another user added, “Another act to add to Ten Hag’s catalogue of crimes against this club.”
During Carreras’ impressive performance at the Bernabeu earlier this year, a fan remarked, “I will never ever forgive Erik ten Hag for getting rid of Álvaro Carreras, never.” Finally, a fan stated, “We need a LWB.” And Erik Ten Hag was miraculously permitted to let this devil go and play Amrabat instead.”
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