Carrick's desire to keep Dalot complicates United's pursuit of Alexander-Arnold

Manchester United’s reported interest in Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold hinges largely on whether Diogo Dalot can be packaged into a swap deal — and that prospect appears complicated by Michael Carrick’s desire to retain the Portuguese full-back at Old Trafford.

Alexander-Arnold, 27, endured a difficult debut season at the Bernabeu after leaving Liverpool on a free transfer. Injury disrupted the first half of his campaign, and he was heavily criticised in the Spanish press before finding more consistency in the side. He finished the season with five assists in 30 appearances.

The situation has taken on a new dimension following José Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid. The Portuguese manager has hinted at squad changes, with Denzel Dumfries reported to be joining from Inter Milan. Mourinho previously signed Dalot during his time at United and has been linked with a reunion at the Bernabeu, making the 27-year-old a natural fit for any potential swap arrangement.

However, reports suggest Carrick is unwilling to sanction Dalot’s departure. The defender, who joined from Porto in 2018, offers versatility across both full-back positions and is contracted until 2028 with the option of a further year — meaning he could complete a decade at the club if he sees out his deal.

Several former United players have spoken in favour of Alexander-Arnold making the move to Old Trafford. Antonio Valencia was the latest, telling Hajper: “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.”

For now, the path to any deal remains narrow. Without Dalot as a makeweight, United would need to find another route to finance a move for a player who only recently left England’s top flight for one of Europe’s biggest clubs.