Footballers from all corners of the globe would have eagerly seized the opportunity to play under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, yet there was a budding talent who declined his advances – Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold.
In the realm of football, few managers command the same level of reverence as Sir Alex, who held sway over English football throughout his illustrious 27-year tenure at Manchester United.
Alexander-Arnold, now 24, undoubtedly watched Sir Alex’s United in his formative years, only to become one of the standout luminaries during Jurgen Klopp’s successful reign at Liverpool, their arch-rivals. As an agile and attack-minded right-back, he has notched remarkable achievements, including several titles like the Champions League and Premier League.
His on-field contributions, characterized by precision crosses and sublime free-kicks, have endeared him to Liverpool faithful who fervently anticipate his continued stellar performances for years to come. Yet, it might have been an entirely different narrative if Sir Alex had his way, as reported by the Daily Express.
In the book “Red on Red” by Phil McNulty and Jim White, which delves into the historic rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool, it comes to light that Sir Alex attempted to entice Alexander-Arnold to Old Trafford. Sir Alex’s ambition to “dethrone Liverpool from their perch” is well-documented, and he certainly accomplished that feat during his managerial reign. However, persuading Alexander-Arnold to switch allegiances proved to be a Herculean task.
In 2011, Sir Alex discovered that John Alexander, Alexander-Arnold’s uncle, held the role of club secretary at United. Intrigued by the young defender’s potential, Sir Alex made an approach.
Yet, Alexander-Arnold harbored no intention of leaving his cherished Liverpool. Not only did he rebuff Sir Alex’s offer, but he also quipped, “My mum doesn’t like driving on motorways,” playfully emphasizing his unwavering loyalty to his hometown club.
Since then, Alexander-Arnold has amassed an impressive 277 appearances for Liverpool, solidifying his position as a pivotal player within the team. His goal contributions have been noteworthy, with a total of 89 across all competitions, and he holds the record for the highest number of Premier League assists by a defender in history, with 55.
Interestingly, there exists a personal connection between Sir Alex and Alexander-Arnold that transcends football. In his autobiography, Sir Alex revealed that he once dated Alexander-Arnold’s maternal grandmother, Doreen Carling. Describing her as his “first steady girlfriend,” Sir Alex’s relationship with Carling lasted around 18 months before they went their separate ways.
As fate would have it, Alexander-Arnold’s rejection of Sir Alex’s advances and his subsequent triumphs at Liverpool have only intensified the rivalry between the two clubs. The young right-back has emerged as an emblem of Liverpool’s resurgence under Klopp, while Sir Alex’s legacy at United remains untouchable.
In the ever-competitive world of football, decisions like Alexander-Arnold’s refusal of Sir Alex can mold careers and determine destinies. It serves as a reminder that loyalty and unwavering passion for one’s club can triumph over alluring offers from rival teams.
Thus, as Alexander-Arnold continues to charge down the wing for Liverpool, delivering pinpoint crosses and unleashing spectacular goals, fans can’t help but ponder the alternate reality where he chose to don the Manchester United jersey. Nevertheless, one certainty prevails – his rejection of Sir Alex has only steeled his resolve to attain greatness at Anfield and etch his name into Liverpool’s storied history.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold
This season he played in total 4 times for 327 minutes for Premier League.
Trent Alexander-Arnold didn’t score any goal for Liverpool. He procured one assist. He received 2 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 2nd in Premier League. In the last match Liverpool won 3-1 against Leicester City. The next match in Premier League will be against Tottenham Hotspur.
Liverpool performance and stats
Liverpool is currently 2nd in the Premier League with 16 points.
In the last 6 games, it has won 4 times and drawn twice. In its last match, Liverpool won 3-1 against West Ham United.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 15 goals and conceding 5.
Liverpool will play the next match in Premier League against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday 30th of September in London. The prediction is Liverpool winning the match.