Two Manchester United talents appear eager to team up in England next season.

Spanish newspaper AS reported this week that Alvaro Fernandez Carreras will sign for United from Real Madrid on a four-year deal.

United already have a deal in place to sign another teenager, right-back Marc Jurado from Barcelona [Sport].

Alvaro, as he is known, sent a message out on his Instagram account confirming his exit from Real.

The 17-year-old wrote that it ‘has not been an easy decision’ after three years at the Bernabeu.

Jurado responded to Alvaro’s Instagram post, writing, ‘Let’s go strong my brother!’

Camaraderie can help them both

As rivals from two top Spanish clubs, they already clearly know each other well from academy level.

Jurado is clearly excited to team up with his fellow Spaniard at United next season, and both players will find it easier to settle, arriving at the same time as one another.

Both players will be part of United’s under-18 side next season, pending confirmation and international clearance of their deals.

 

Having one of them on each flank at full-back will certainly give the side a different feel, although they will both have to work their way into an under-18 team which has shown some improvement over the past season.

(Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

A long way to go

Not since the additions of twins Rafael and Fabio da Silva in 2005 from Fluminense have United bought two young full-backs at the same time, from the same foreign country.

Like the Brazilian youngsters, Jurado and Alvaro will have to work their way up into the team, and bide their time. Having each other to lean on and share experiences with will help them both.

The lesson there was that even as talented twins, the Da Silva brothers found one had more success than the other, with Fabio’s path blocked by Patrice Evra, and Rafael’s helped by an ageing Gary Neville.

It may be a few seasons yet before the two young Spaniards begin to make an impact on United’s first team.

When they do, it will be to do with fortune as much as talent, whether and when they get their debut.

Weakness and lack of options at left-back this season led to Brandon Williams’ acceleration into the team. The strength at right-back has made it more difficult for Ethan Laird to play as regularly.

United are strong in both full-back positions, but you can never have too many options. Real and Barcelona wanted to keep both Alvaro and Jurado respectively, and that itself is an indication that United have two very talents players arriving.

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