Manchester United icon Antonio Valencia believes the club should make a bold attempt to sign England international Trent Alexander-Arnold, arguing that the experienced full back has the quality, leadership and mentality to become a key figure at Old Trafford.
Valencia’s comments come at a time when speculation continues to surround Alexander-Arnold’s future following a challenging first season in Spain. After completing a high profile move to Real Madrid, the right back has found consistent opportunities difficult to secure, leading to growing discussion about what the next step in his career could be.
The former Ecuador international, who captained Manchester United during his playing days, believes elite clubs must always be prepared to pursue world class talent regardless of previous club rivalries. In his view, Alexander-Arnold possesses the technical ability and experience needed to strengthen United’s defensive unit while adding creativity from wide areas.
Alexander-Arnold has established himself as one of the finest attacking full backs of his generation. Renowned for his exceptional crossing ability, accurate long range passing and vision, the England defender has consistently been among Europe’s leading creators from the right side of defence.
His football journey began in Liverpool’s academy, where he progressed through every youth level before making his senior debut as a teenager. Born in West Derby, Liverpool, the defender quickly became one of the brightest young prospects produced by the club in recent years.
Under Jurgen Klopp, Alexander-Arnold developed into a cornerstone of Liverpool’s success. His performances helped the club lift numerous major honours, including the UEFA Champions League, the Premier League, the FA Cup, the League Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.
His ability to influence matches with pinpoint deliveries, dangerous set pieces and intelligent movement transformed the role of the modern full back. While his attacking qualities earned widespread praise, his defensive performances often divided opinion, prompting constant debate among football analysts and supporters.
Despite those discussions, Alexander-Arnold remained one of England’s most accomplished defenders and eventually secured a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, where expectations were understandably enormous.
However, adapting to a new league and a different tactical system has presented fresh challenges. Increased competition for places and tactical adjustments have limited his appearances, leading to speculation that a return to the Premier League could become a realistic option if circumstances fail to improve.
Valencia believes Manchester United would benefit enormously from adding a player with Alexander-Arnold’s pedigree and winning experience. According to the former winger, players capable of handling pressure and delivering consistently at the highest level are exactly what United require as they continue rebuilding their squad.
The former United captain also highlighted the importance of personality when representing one of the world’s biggest football clubs. Old Trafford, he believes, demands footballers capable of performing under constant scrutiny, and Alexander-Arnold has already demonstrated throughout his career that he can thrive in high pressure environments.
While supporting the idea of strengthening the right side of the defence, Valencia also expressed confidence in current defender Diogo Dalot. The Portugal international has remained an important member of Manchester United’s squad and continues to earn the trust of the coaching staff through his versatility, work ethic and commitment.
Dalot has featured regularly over recent seasons, contributing both defensively and offensively. His contract provides United with stability in the position, meaning any potential arrival would likely create healthy competition rather than automatically displacing him from the starting lineup.
Manchester United continue to reshape their squad as they seek a return to the summit of English football after several seasons of inconsistency. Supporters remain hopeful that strategic investment and improved squad depth can help the club compete more effectively with Premier League rivals.
Valencia also expressed confidence about United’s prospects for the upcoming campaign, predicting a significant improvement in league performances. He believes the club possesses the foundation required to challenge for major honours if recruitment is handled successfully and key players remain fit throughout the season.
For Alexander-Arnold, the coming months could prove decisive. Whether he remains in Spain to fight for his place or eventually considers a move back to England, his quality remains beyond doubt. At just 27 years of age, he continues to have many years at the highest level ahead of him and remains one of Europe’s most technically gifted defenders.
Should Manchester United ever decide to pursue such an ambitious transfer, it would undoubtedly become one of the most talked about moves in Premier League history given Alexander-Arnold’s long association with Liverpool.
For now, the transfer remains the subject of speculation, but Valencia’s endorsement has added fresh intrigue to discussions surrounding the defender’s future and Manchester United’s ambitions to return to the top of English football.
