Former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold had a tie to Manchester United and offered his thoughts on joining the club

Former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold rebuffed Sir Alex Ferguson when the iconic boss questioned why he had not joined Manchester United. Despite coming through the academy of the club's bitter rivals, the right-back had family connections to Old Trafford.

The full-back became crucial to Jurgen Klopp's team after making his first league start against United as a teenager. His exceptional passing helped steer his boyhood side to multiple honours, including the Premier League and Champions League.

Alexander-Arnold opted to leave for Real Madrid as his contract ran down in 2025, a move which sparked controversy among some Liverpool supporters. The 28-year-old has found it difficult to have the same impact in his new surroundings, as he attempts to establish himself as a first-choice pick under new manager Jose Mourinho, whose team take on RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The defender racked up 354 appearances for Liverpool before his switch to the Spanish capital. While his choice to head to Los Blancos triggered a passionate response from Liverpool fans, Alexander-Arnold had previously outlined his blunt reasoning for turning down United as a youngster.

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The right-back's uncle John Alexander served as a club secretary at United, sparking Ferguson's interest. As recounted to the Mirror in 2018, when questioned about why he hadn't tried to sign for United, Alexander-Arnold informed Ferguson: "My mum doesn't drive on motorways."

Instead, the defender stayed with the club where he had started training at the age of six. Alexander-Arnold eventually decided the moment was right for a fresh challenge after securing a second Premier League crown in 2025.

"It was one of the toughest decisions of my life," he said last September. "Liverpool is my home; it made me who I am. But Madrid felt like the right step, at the right time. It is definitely a challenge, but it's a challenge I welcome.

"The Bernabeu is a sacred place. You feel the weight of the jersey, but that very thing pushes you to give it your all.

"Of course the legacy (of Real Madrid) is undeniable. But more than that, what attracted me was the ambition and the desire to prove myself in a new context.

"Yes, I feel it's a personal transformation as well as a professional one. Moving to a new country, learning a new culture, pushes you as a person. It's more than soccer."

Alexander-Arnold made 30 appearances for Real across all competitions last season, yet managed just 14 league starts as he struggled with injuries. The full-back has found himself as a squad rotation option under former United manager Mourinho this campaign, with summer arrival Denzel Dumfries and captain Fede Valverde also vying for the right-back berth.

The ex-Liverpool ace was left on the bench as midfielder Valverde was fielded at full-back during the weekend clash against Sevilla. Alexander-Arnold has notched up three league starts while being an unused substitute on four separate occasions so far this term.

In the Champions League, Mourinho experimented with the England international in a midfield role against Inter Milan before he was once again left out of the action in Real's victory over Roma. The right-back will be eager to make his case for a starting spot against RB Leipzig on Wednesday as he bids to cement himself as a first-team regular at the Spanish giants.