A former scout for Manchester United has criticized the club’s talent evaluation, claiming they let a promising young player slip away for a nominal fee and branding one of their recent acquisitions as ineffective.

Piotr Sadowski began his tenure with the Red Devils in 2017, serving as a scout for Central Europe until his departure after more than seven years of identifying potential stars across the continent.

Recently employed by Blackburn Rovers’ scouting team, Sadowski expressed concerns over Manchester United’s recent decisions concerning their strategy for nurturing young talent.

In an interview with Polish publication Przeglad Sportowy, Sadowski recounted the journey of a Spanish prospect who joined United at around 16 years old in 2020. “A diligent and driven young man, he quickly picked up the language,” Sadowski noted, emphasizing their personal interaction.

Initially showing promise, the player was loaned to Preston and received positive feedback, but United eventually decided to part ways, transferring him to Benfica for a modest sum.

Manchester United should regret letting Alvaro Carreras go to Benfica for such a small fee, one of their former scouts has claimed

The talented left back is now plying his trade at Real Madrid after a blockbuster summer move

This summer, Carreras returned to Madrid, rejoining the club where he began his youth career, in a deal reportedly valued at £44 million (€50 million).

The 22-year-old has since made 12 appearances under Xabi Alonso, scoring his debut goal for Los Blancos against Valencia at the start of this month. 

The left back’s move to the Spanish capital comes just three years after he was plying his trade for Preston North End, having been loaned to the Championship side, and then Granada, during his time at Man United. 

‘Carreras is a truly top-class player,’ Sadowski continued. ‘There’s a good chance he’ll become the best, or one of the best, left-backs in the world. 

‘He scored a beautiful goal recently against Valencia in La Liga. It was a huge mistake for United to let him go.

‘Something is missing here and I think that something is United’s lack of courage in investing in young players.’

20-year-old Kobbie Mainoo is the only academy player in Amorim’s core squad this season, although the young star could yet be on his way out at Old Trafford after he is thought to have been keen for a move during the summer transfer window. 

But although picking from Carrington’s ranks is not Amorim’s preferred managerial method, the Portuguese head coach has tempted a number of young stars to Manchester in the transfer market. 

The 22-year-old is one of a number of academy talents who have opted for a move away from Old Trafford

But Pior Sadowski also suggested that one of their other young recruits – Patrick Dorgu – was not worth his price

Among those signed this summer under the age of 25 were Benjamin Sesko (22), goalkeeper Senne Lammens (23), and left back Diego Leon (18). 

Sadowski however was quick to scrutinise Patrick Dorgu, who joined the side last January at the age of 20. 

Dorgu has made 10 appearances out of Man United’s 11 in the Premier League this term, but Sadowski suggested that the Denmark international was somewhat of a an overpriced option in the side. 

‘Honestly, having recently worked at Blackburn Rovers and operating on a much lower transfer budget, I would have had no problem finding a few players of Dorgu’s level for United, but for £25m, you could get four,’ Sadowski continued. 

‘Now, United are wary of bringing in youngsters. Amorim was supposed to be the one to do this, but the results haven’t been right, so he prefers to buy ready-made players.’ 

One player that Sadowski did stress that Amorim should take a chance on from Man United’s academy is Harry Amass, who is currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday. 

Like Carreras, Amass is a left back, who has enjoyed 11 appearances in the Championship thus far this season, scoring his first goal for the Owls in his last outing against Southampton.