Trent Alexander-Arnold has revealed the blunt response he gave Sir Alex Ferguson when the former Manchester United manager questioned why he had not joined the club. Despite coming through the academy at Liverpool, United's bitter rivals, the right-back had family connections to Old Trafford.
Family ties and a blunt refusal
Alexander-Arnold's uncle, John Alexander, served as a club secretary at United, which sparked Ferguson's interest in the defender. As recounted to the Mirror in 2018, when Ferguson asked why he had not tried to sign for United, Alexander-Arnold replied: "My mum doesn't drive on motorways."
Instead, the defender stayed with Liverpool, where he had started training at the age of six. He went on to become a key figure in Jurgen Klopp's team after making his first league start against United as a teenager, helping the club to multiple honours, including the Premier League and Champions League.
Move to Real Madrid
Alexander-Arnold opted to leave for Real Madrid as his contract ran down in 2025, a move that sparked controversy among some Liverpool supporters. The 28-year-old racked up 354 appearances for Liverpool before his switch to the Spanish capital.
He said last September: "It was one of the toughest decisions of my life. Liverpool is my home; it made me who I am. But Madrid felt like the right step, at the right time. It is definitely a challenge, but it's a challenge I welcome."
He added: "The Bernabeu is a sacred place. You feel the weight of the jersey, but that very thing pushes you to give it your all. Of course the legacy (of Real Madrid) is undeniable. But more than that, what attracted me was the ambition and the desire to prove myself in a new context."
Struggles for game time
Alexander-Arnold made 30 appearances for Real across all competitions last season, yet managed just 14 league starts as he struggled with injuries. This campaign, he has found himself as a squad rotation option under new manager Jose Mourinho, with summer arrival Denzel Dumfries and captain Fede Valverde also vying for the right-back berth.
The ex-Liverpool ace was left on the bench as Valverde was fielded at full-back during the weekend clash against Sevilla. Alexander-Arnold has notched up three league starts while being an unused substitute on four separate occasions so far this term.
In the Champions League, Mourinho experimented with the England international in a midfield role against Inter Milan before he was once again left out of the action in Real's victory over Roma. The right-back will be eager to make his case for a starting spot against RB Leipzig on Wednesday as he bids to cement himself as a first-team regular at the Spanish giants.
