Manchester United have been tipped to make an audacious move for Real Madrid full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in the summer transfer window. United will be keen to build on their positive end to the season, having secured a third-place Premier League finish under the stewardship of Michael Carrick.
The Red Devils already have an agreement in place for Atalanta midfielder Ederson, with the Brazilian seen as a potential replacement for the departing Casemiro. Elsewhere, United are still keen to add another central midfielder, while the club are also seeking more options in forward areas and at full-back. The Red Devils have already been linked with Newcastle United left-back Lewis Hall, who has reportedly fallen out with manager Eddie Howe.
And Wes Brown believes the club should also look to strengthen on the opposite flank, with the former United defender name-checking Alexander-Arnold as a bold potential target. Alexander-Arnold left his boyhood club, Liverpool, for the Spanish giants last summer, but injuries and managerial changes limited him to just 14 La Liga starts in his maiden season. That form saw the 27-year-old miss out on England's World Cup squad, and Brown wonders whether the full-back could be tempted back to the Premier League by Carrick despite his links with United's arch-rivals.
Brown: 'Very good move' for Alexander-Arnold
'Manchester United would be a very good move for Trent Alexander-Arnold,' he told Compare.bet. 'What a player. He would really help how Michael Carrick wants to attack teams and I think it's clear he is not really enjoying himself at Real Madrid. He would be a great player to have, and I think anyone in the Premier League would want to sign him. Who wouldn't have Trent in their team? Liverpool fans definitely wouldn't be happy! But it's not out of the question. Luis Figo left Barcelona for Real Madrid. Michael Owen played for United. If he doesn't see his future at Real Madrid, we'll have to wait and see.'
Sherringham: Arsenal can get Trent back to his best
Elsewhere, Brown's former United teammate Teddy Sherringham suggested that Arsenal could be the right place for Alexander-Arnold to get back to his best. Speaking to BOYLE Sports, he said: 'He doesn't immediately strike me as an Arsenal player, to be fair. I think they're too strong and resilient and work as a proper back four unit but they could make it work for him. Even if you have an organised back four with fantastic players, if you leave him on his own, Trent looks all over the place, but that was true of Harry Maguire when Manchester United weren't playing well. If you did that to Tony Adams or Steve Bruce they'd have looked shocking. If you put Trent in an organised, structured back four, and they work as a unit, that's what playing in a team like Arsenal is all about. If someone worked with Trent along those lines, coached him to get in the right position at the right times, then I'm sure he could improve in that position to give Arsenal that extra dimension that he brings to a team.'
Brown also tips Summerville and Thiago for United
Brown wants to see United strengthen in forward areas, naming Igor Thiago and Crysencio Summerville as two potential options who could add depth to Carrick's squad. 'I look at Crysencio Summerville and Igor Thiago as the two players who can earn big moves at the World Cup this summer, and I'd take them both at Manchester United next season,' Brown added. 'Igor Thiago is a different player for Brazil. He's shown what he can do in the Premier League. You can see why Carlo Ancelotti likes him. He scores goals and he's someone you watch and think wow! Given what's happened to West Ham, I think Summerville will be a big target for a lot of clubs. I think Summerville has done well this season and you look at what Xherdan Shaqiri did for Liverpool after being relegated with Stoke City. If you look at Manchester United's bench, we don't have the options you need. To compete for the Premier League you need another eight players you can bring on. When we were winning things at United, our bench was unbelievable. You could play anyone at any time. They'd always produce. United now are missing four or five players to add to the bench. That doesn't mean the youngsters can't come through too. But they're missing quality in depth where the manager has the players to change things and get a result, and I think Summerville and Thiago offer you that.'
