According to Manchester Evening News, Alexander-Arnold could join Manchester United in a player exchange deal, though Carrick and Mourinho may disagree during negotiations.

Manchester United's ability to sign Alexander-Arnold may depend on one of their players moving to Real Madrid in return. Mourinho would likely welcome such a deal, but Carrick, seeking to maintain the squad structure, may be less enthusiastic.

Alexander-Arnold, previously a Liverpool stalwart, has had an underwhelming first season at the Bernabéu, facing harsh criticism from Spanish media. Injury problems hampered his performance in the early months, but he gradually established himself in the first team, making 30 appearances for Real Madrid throughout the season and providing 5 assists.

Now, Mourinho's return to Real Madrid has intensified the uncertainty surrounding this transfer. "The Special One" has never worked with Alexander-Arnold, and with rumors that Dumfries will join from Inter Milan, Mourinho has hinted at squad adjustments ahead.

Meanwhile, Dalot has also been mentioned as a potential target for Mourinho, and he could serve as a bargaining chip. Several Manchester United legends have expressed positive views about Alexander-Arnold joining Manchester United, fueling discussion about his potential return to the Premier League.

Former Manchester United right-back Antonio Valencia recently publicly supported Alexander-Arnold crossing this "rivalry divide" in an interview with Hyper: "Trent is a player I greatly admire. He has excellent right-foot technique, accurate crossing, and strong defensive ability.

"He would be an important addition to Manchester United. He's familiar with the Premier League and knows what it takes to win the Champions League and Premier League titles. He's a passionate player, and I'd love to see him in a Manchester United shirt."

Sources indicate that Carrick is determined to keep the Portuguese international, meaning Dalot is unlikely to be used as a bargaining chip. Mourinho brought his compatriot to Old Trafford during his time at Manchester United, and there are now rumors he hopes to reunite with Dalot at Real Madrid.

The 27-year-old Dalot has not developed into the top right-back Manchester United fans hoped for, but he can play on both flanks and still holds value. He joined Manchester United from Porto in 2018, and with his contract running until 2028 (with a one-year extension option), his time at Manchester United could span a decade.

When bringing his compatriot to England, Mourinho praised Dalot, stating at the time: "He is the best left-back in Europe for his age group.

"He is a very talented young defender with all the qualities to quickly develop into a Manchester United regular. He has everything a full-back needs: physical attributes, tactical awareness, and technical ability, plus the professionalism instilled at Porto's academy, making him ready for professional football's demands."

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Additionally, Real Madrid appears close to recruiting Dumfries, making Dalot's prospects as an exchange option increasingly slim. With Real Madrid having parted ways with Dani Carvajal this summer, it seems unlikely the club will recruit another right-back unless Alexander-Arnold departs.

It is rare for players who have played for Manchester United or Liverpool to join their rivals. Since Phil Chisnall in 1964, no first-team player has directly transferred between the two clubs; even situations like Alexander-Arnold's, where a player moves to another club before playing for both rivals, are equally uncommon.

This presents another obstacle to Alexander-Arnold's transfer—the English defender may hesitate for this reason. Many Liverpool fans are already unhappy that Alexander-Arnold allowed his Anfield contract to expire before departing last year, and he may wish to maintain goodwill with supporters from his hometown as much as possible.

Former Valencia teammate Wes Brown also urged Manchester United to sign Alexander-Arnold, stating in a recent interview with Compare.bet: "Joining Manchester United would be a great choice for Alexander-Arnold. He's too good and would suit Carrick's attacking tactics perfectly.

"Clearly, he's unhappy at Real Madrid. He's a brilliant player wanted by every team, and I think every Premier League side would want to recruit him—who wouldn't want Trent in their squad?"

Last season, Carrick deployed Amad Diallo as a left-back, and Mazraoui will rotate in that position when fit. However, it's widely believed Manchester United needs a genuine upgrade in this area.

Alexander-Arnold could be an ideal candidate, and Dalot could be an important bargaining chip in such a deal. However, the difficulties in facilitating this controversial transfer this summer are substantial, and Manchester United may struggle to overcome these complex obstacles.

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