Trent Alexander-Arnold's chances of moving to Manchester United may rest on one Old Trafford star heading to Real Madrid in exchange. While Jose Mourinho might welcome the deal, Michael Carrick may not share the same enthusiasm as he seeks to preserve squad dynamics.
Alexander-Arnold's Struggles at Real Madrid
Former Liverpool ace Alexander-Arnold, 27, failed to impress during his inaugural season at the Bernabeu and faced harsh criticism from the Spanish press. Fitness issues hampered his progress in the opening months of the campaign before he established some form in the first team, finishing his maiden term with five assists across 30 appearances.
There's an additional layer of uncertainty now Mourinho has made his return to Madrid. 'The Special One' has never collaborated with Alexander-Arnold and has already suggested alterations are imminent amid claims Denzel Dumfries is close to arriving from Inter Milan.
Carrick's Stance on Dalot
A possible exchange involving Dalot appears unlikely to materialise following claims Carrick is determined to retain the Portugal international. Mourinho brought his fellow countryman to Old Trafford during his tenure and has been rumoured to be pursuing a reunion at Real.
Dalot, 27, hasn't quite developed into the commanding right-back many United supporters hoped for but remains valuable given his ability to operate across both flanks. The full-back arrived from Porto in 2018 and could reach a decade at United should he see out his deal until 2028, which includes the possibility of an extra year.
Mourinho's Praise for Dalot
When securing his compatriot's move to England, Mourinho was effusive in his assessment of Dalot and said at the time: "In his age group, he is the best full-back in Europe. He is an extremely talented young defender with all the qualities to quickly become a great player for this club. He has all the attributes that a full-back needs: physicality, tactical intelligence and technical quality, combined with a Porto academy mentality which prepares players for the maturity they need at the professional level."
Obstacles to the Transfer
Add to that the fact Los Blancos appear poised to bring in Dumfries and a Dalot exchange seems increasingly improbable. Real did part ways with Dani Carvajal this summer but the acquisition of another right-back appears doubtful unless Alexander-Arnold departs.
It's unusual for ex-United or Liverpool players to represent their fierce rivals. No senior player has moved directly between the two sides since Phil Chisnall in 1964 but it's almost as rare for footballers to turn out for both clubs, even with a break spell in between like Alexander-Arnold's spell at Real.
That introduces an additional obstacle as to why the England defender might be reluctant about such a transfer. Many Liverpool supporters were already frustrated by Alexander-Arnold allowing his Anfield contract to run down before last year's move and he may wish to preserve as much goodwill in his hometown as possible.
Support from United Legends
Several Old Trafford legends have expressed positive views about Alexander-Arnold making the switch to United, which has only fuelled discussion of a top-flight comeback. Speaking to Hajper, former United right-back Antonio Valencia endorsed the idea: "Trent is a player I like a lot. He has a very good right foot, he crosses well, and he is a player who defends well. He would be very good for Manchester United. He knows the Premier League. He knows what it means to win the Champions League and the Premier League. He is a passionate player, and I would like to see him at Manchester United."
Valencia's former colleague, Wes Brown, has also urged United to pursue Alexander-Arnold and recently told Compare.bet: "Manchester United would be a very good move for Trent Alexander-Arnold. What a player. He would really help how Michael Carrick wants to attack teams. I think it is clear he is not really enjoying himself at Real Madrid. He would be a great player to have, and I think anyone in the Premier League would want to sign him. Who wouldn't have Trent in their team?"
Carrick's Tactical Considerations
Carrick utilised Amad as a wing-back for spells during last season, with Noussair Mazraoui also part of that rotation when available. Yet there is a feeling United could benefit from a genuine upgrade in the role. Alexander-Arnold might well be that solution, just as Dalot could prove a valuable bargaining chip in any deal. Nevertheless, the complexities of engineering such a contentious transfer this summer seem too significant for United to navigate.
