Ex-Manchester United captain Antonio Valencia has urged the club to make an audacious move for Real Madrid and former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold.
After securing Champions League football for next season, Michael Carrick is preparing for his first season in charge of United since being appointed head coach on a permanent basis.
He has already completed his first signing of the summer transfer window, bringing in Brazil midfielder Ederson, while goalkeeper Andre Onana is set to depart on loan again.
There are plans to improve their left-back options, with Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall open to a transfer, but Valencia believes the Red Devils could also sign a new right-back.
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To that end, the Ecuador legend believes that Alexander-Arnold would be a perfect signing, despite his history with United’s arch-rivals Liverpool.
‘Trent is a player I like a lot,’ Valencia said, as quoted by The Standard. ‘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.
‘Hopefully it could happen, because we need players like that at Old Trafford. To play at that stadium, you need people with a lot of personality.’
A boyhood Liverpool fan, Alexander-Arnold made 354 appearances for the Reds before joining Real Madrid last summer, but he struggled for form and fitness in Spain, leading to Thomas Tuchel leaving him out of the England squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Moreover, incoming Real manager Jose Mourinho has sanctioned the sighing of top right-back Denzel Dumfries, which has cast uncertainity over the 27-year-old’s future with Los Blancos.
Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave Liverpool divided the club’s fanbase, but they would surely unite against their former hero if he were to join United.
In the Premier League era, just two players have crossed the Liverpool/Man Utd threshold: Paul Ince and Michael Owen.
That hasn’t put off Valencia, though the former winger/full-back hopes that no matter what, United also keep current first-choice right-back Diogo Dalot.
‘Manchester always have to renew the squad, and this is a team that we hope can have a good Premier League season and win it.
‘But in terms of a right-back… I just hope that whoever comes in can be the best possible option. And I hope Dalot does not leave, of course.’
The Red Devils will begin the 2026/27 Premier League season with a trip to newly-promoted Hull City on August 22.
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