Former Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia has urged his old club to pursue Real Madrid right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, describing the England international as the kind of player Old Trafford needs.

Speaking to Hajper, Valencia was unambiguous in his enthusiasm. "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," he said.

"Hopefully it could happen, because we need players like that at Old Trafford. To play at that stadium, you need people with a lot of personality."

Alexander-Arnold's difficult season at Real Madrid

Alexander-Arnold managed only 14 league starts last season, a lack of regular playing time that contributed to his exclusion from Thomas Tuchel's squad for the ongoing FIFA World Cup in North America.

His path to a regular starting berth at Real Madrid appeared clearer after long-serving captain Dani Carvajal departed earlier this summer. However, conditions at the club have since shifted.

The return of manager Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid, combined with the expected signing of Inter Milan wing-back Denzel Dumfries, threatens to push Alexander-Arnold further down the pecking order — making a departure a more realistic prospect than it seemed just weeks ago.

Valencia believes Manchester United should act decisively, arguing that securing a player of Alexander-Arnold's caliber would send a powerful signal about the club's ambitions.