McManaman backs injury-plagued Alexander-Arnold to finally shine at Real Madrid

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s difficult first season at Real Madrid was shaped primarily by injury rather than a lack of quality, according to former Liverpool and Real Madrid winger Steve McManaman, who says the England defender is now primed to show what he can do in his second year at the club.

Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid on a free transfer last summer after allowing his contract at Anfield to expire. He made 30 appearances across his debut campaign, but only 22 of those were starts. A hamstring injury cost him five league games, while a subsequent muscle tear kept him out for a further seven.

“He’s fine. I speak to him, and he’s fine. He’s settled in well,” McManaman told Sport. “The problem is that he had a lot of injuries last year. That was the problem. He had physical issues, and the team weren’t at their best either. I think he should be fine this year.”

McManaman also acknowledged the challenge ahead, with Barcelona having strengthened over the summer. “It’s going to be tough against Barcelona,” he said. “He played the other day and did very well. I don’t need to give Trent any advice. He knows what he has to do. He knows he has to learn the language, settle in and enjoy his life in Madrid. And he’s doing just that. He’s got good friends there. I don’t think he’ll have any problems.”

Alexander-Arnold may find himself with an unexpected opportunity in the coming days. Real Madrid are facing a significant midfield crisis, with Bernardo Silva, Arda Guler, and Eduardo Camavinga all suspended for the Champions League fixture against Inter Milan. Aurelien Tchouameni and Thiago Pitarch are also sidelined through injury, opening the door for the right-back to be deployed in a more central role.

Manager Jose Mourinho has already hinted at such a move. “The team has always been good,” Mourinho was quoted as saying by AS. “I haven’t seen the stats, but we created a lot. We missed three or four clear chances and their goalkeeper made three or four impressive saves. I didn’t make changes because I wasn’t happy; they were to take off the players who had been booked. It’s better to play with Trent and Yan Diomande than with Denzel Dumfries.”

The comments suggest Mourinho views Alexander-Arnold as a more compatible partner for summer signing Yan Diomande than fellow new arrival Denzel Dumfries, a dynamic that could define how the Englishman is used as the season progresses.