Xabi Alonso makes Trent Alexander-Arnold stance clear as Real Madrid star sent message
Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has decided Trent Alexander-Arnold will be his starting right-back at the Bernebeu ahead of long-serving Dani Carvajal, according to reports in Spain.
The England defender is a new arrival in the Spanish capital after the La Liga giants fought hard to bring him in from Liverpool, even agreeing to pay the Premier League side £10m to ensure he arrived in time for the Club World Cup in June.
Alexander-Arnold arrives in Madrid with pedigree having just won his second Premier League title with Liverpool, where he won eight cups in total - including the Champions League in 2019.
Alonso sees the 26-year-old as "the chosen one", according to Spanish outlet E-Noticies, who says the manager has put his faith in the England star due to his "quality, vision and offensive contribution".
Alexander-Arnold knew he had work to do in order to unseat Carvajal - the boyhood Madrid star who has made 428 appearances for the club, winning every trophy available to him. That includes four La Liga titles and an astonishing six Champions League titles.
But the report claims that Carvajal will "have to get used to the bench" and says the veteran defender is "no longer untouchable" after spending much of last season on the sidelines with a cruciate ligament tear.
Carvajal - who has been at the club for so long that he played with Alonso at Real Madrid - will turn 34 in January and no longer has the same pace and power he was once renowned for.
Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, has been a huge hit since arriving in Madrid - wowing the press with his fluent Spanish-speaking ability.
He also gets along well with the club's centre-backs, the report adds, and has the "character, talent and profile" that fits the playing style Alonso wants to implement on the team.
It says Alonso is looking more towards a youthful outlook for the team, saying that stars like Endrick, Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz could start becoming "key pieces" of the puzzle at Madrid.
Carvajal is not the only long-serving star who faces a bench role in the upcoming season. Rodrygo appears to have fallen down the pecking order under Alonso already after the coach after he was benched for their Club World Cup semi-final clash against PSG.
Alonso said he needed "another player" when asked for a reasoning behind the decision, but said he hadn't decided whether on the Brazilian's future just yet.
"The fact that he didn't play again is a game-by-game decision," he said. "The way things were going, we needed another player. There haven't been any decisions about the future throughout this entire championship."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
10 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Bryan Mbeumo makes a good first impression as Ruben Amorim juggles his No 10 options... but Man United lack pace in key area: THINGS WE LEARNED from 2-2 draw with Everton
Manchester United concluded their U.S. tour with a 2-2 draw against Everton in an entertaining clash at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Ruben Amorim 's side took the lead after 19 minutes when Bruno Fernandes calmly slotted home a penalty, awarded after James Tarkowski brought down Amad Diallo in the box. Everton equalised five minutes before half-time, with Iliman Ndiaye finishing clinically at the back post following a pinpoint cross from Idrissa Gueye. Mason Mount restored United's advantage in the 69th minute, showing composure to turn and fire past Jordan Pickford after a sharp move inside the box. However, the lead didn't last long. A bizarre own goal from Amad Diallo gifted Everton a second equaliser, ensuring a dramatic end to the contest. Despite the draw, United were crowned Premier League Summer Series champions. Mail Sport's Chris Wheeler was in Atlanta to reveal things we learned from the match. MBUEMO IMPRESSES THE build-up to Bryan Mbeumo's debut for Manchester United in the 2-2 draw with Everton was overshadowed by the club's pursuit of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko and uncertainty over Rasmus Hojlund's future at Old Trafford, but the £71millon striker made a good first impression as he played the first 45 minutes at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Playing on the right side of a front three that had United's other new-boy Matheus Cunha starting through the middle and Bruno Fernandes on the left, Mbeumo linked up well with his two teammates and had some bright moments, notably the blind pass that released Amad Diallo when he won a penalty that was converted by Fernandes in the 19th minute. It will be interesting to see how Ruben Amorim deploys his assortment of No.10 players – which also includes Mason Mount – if he signs a new striker or Hojlund stays at the club. The Dane got on in the 72nd minute. Diallo is another who can play as a No.10 but he started in his alternative right wing-back role in Atlanta and benefitted from the work of the front three, emerging as arguably United's brightest player in the first period. The game was less than four minutes only when Fernandes released the Ivorian who slipped in Cunha but his effort was wide of the far post. James Tarkowski was furious when Diallo got on the end of a slick move by Fernandes, Mbeumo and Cunha to win the penalty, and the United man then brought a clumsy challenge from Vitalii Mykolenko when he pirouetted cheekily away from the Ukrainian shortly afterwards. Although United lacked a conventional centre-forward, there was a fluidity to their attack not dissimilar to what Sir Alex Ferguson achieved with Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo when taking his team to Champions League glory in 2008 – although clearly this United have some way to go to reach that level. Mbeumo went off at half-time with Diallo reverting to a more advanced role, as Patrick Dorgu came on at left wing-back and Diogo Dalot switched to the right. Mount came on in the 59th minute to play wide on the right with Fernandes dropping deeper, and he scored United's second goal when Fernandes slipped a pass inside and he curled an excellent shot beyond Jordan Pickford. MIDFIELD LACKS PACE There have been some concerns about the lack of pace in United's midfield and it was highlighted again when Everton grabbed a deserved equaliser in the 40th minute in Atlanta. It appeared as though Amorim's side had cleared the danger when Matthijs de Ligt played the ball out to Manuel Ugarte on the edge of his own box, but the Uruguayan was sluggish and James Tarkowski stole in to rob the ball. Idrissa Gueye showed quick thinking to play a first-time cross towards the back post where Iliman Ndiaye reacted quicker than Bruno Fernandes to score with a clinical finish. United's other options in central midfield are 33-year-old veteran Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo, and Amorim raised concerns over Mainoo's pace earlier in the tour. It highlights why United are considering signing a quicker No.6 before the end of the transfer window to inject a more speed into their midfield. Another option, of course, is Fernandes who dropped deeper for the final quarter of the game in Atlanta and got an assist on the second goal for Mount. KEEPER QUESTIONS REMAIN UNANSWERED The other area of the team United are looking at is a new goalkeeper amid question marks over Andre Onana's future at Old Trafford. The expectation is that the Cameroon international will stay and start, but United quoted Monaco £30m to sign Onana early in the window and they have made enquiries about Emi Martinez of Aston Villa and PSG's Gianluigi Donnarumma. With Onana missing all the tour games due to a hamstring injury suffered on only the second day of pre-season training at Carrington, this was a chance for his No.2 Altay Bayindir to shine and it's fair to say the Turk didn't take his opportunity. Bayindir almost paid for an error in the seventh minute when he got down to save James Garner's 20-yard free kick but bundled the ball straight to Jake O'Brien who should have done better than guide it against the far post with the goal gaping. O'Brien then headed wide just before half-time, denying Everton the lead their first-half performance probably deserved. There was also a close call when Tim Iroegbunam raced through and touched the ball past a hesitant Bayindir to score but, luckily for the United keeper, he was just offside. Bayindir couldn't be faulted for Ndiaye's well-taken equaliser shortly afterwards, but the second goal was a mess as Diallo played the ball against Ayden Heaven and it trickled past a statuesque Bayindir as United conceded an own-goal for the second game in a row to draw with an Everton side who had lost their previous two games on tour. FEISTY FRIENDLY One of the benefits of playing in a Premier League Summer Series is the level of competition against old rivals is that bit keener than other tour games. United have played well to beat West Ham and Bournemouth in the US, but they came up against a feisty Everton in the last match in Atlanta. James Tarkowski gave Amad Diallo an earbashing after the Ivorian won a penalty in the first half, and there was a furious exchange in the build-up to Everton's second equaliser when Bruno Fernandes and Iliman Ndiaye clashed on the halfway line. Fernandes pursued the Everton man and appeared to clip him from behind, leading to an angry shoving match between them as play continued and the ball went in off Ayden Heaven. Ruben Amorim would probably rather have a game like this to test his players at this stage of pre-season, with United facing Arsenal in their Premier League opener in two weeks' time.
Glasgow Times
39 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Brendan Rodgers on Celtic's Champions League shape after St Mirren win
A strike from substitute Luke McCowan with three minutes of regulation time remaining ensured the Scottish champions avoided dropping points at home in their first league game of the new season. But Rodgers stressed that he was happy with his team's display afterwards and singled out the visitors' keeper Shamal George, who pulled off a string of outstanding saves to keep the scoreline level, for special praise. Celtic will discover who they will come up against in the Champions League play-off when the draw is made in Nyon, Switzerland, this morning. Read more: They will find themselves up against Basel or Sturm Graz or the winner of the outstanding ties between Slovan Bratislava and Kairat, Shkendija and Qarabag and Dynamo Kyiv and Pafos. The games will be played on August 19/20 and 26/27. Rodgers, who lost striker Kyogo Furuhashi back in January and winger Nicolas Kuhn during the summer, has admitted that he is keen to strengthen his side in the forward areas. But the Northern Irishman emphasised that he is satisfied with how his team is currently performing. 'To win in the first game of the season is always good and it rounds off a lot of the good work that we've done over pre-season,' he said. 'I'm absolutely pleased with the performance. 'Everyone knows St Mirren and Stephen Robinson's qualities. They're such a hard team to break down. You have to be aware of the threat on the counter-attack, the physicality at set-pieces. All of that we dealt so well with and the keeper's made some brilliant saves, which then keeps the game in the balance. 'At times we moved the ball really well. At other times we could have attacked a wee bit more when we got into certain positions and been a bit more aggressive in the one v one moments. (Image: Andrew Milligan) 'But overall to play against that team, against that system, that's how you've got to work it. Then you need better quality to finish it. I think everyone who was at the game or watched it on TV would say that ([[Celtic]] could have won by three or four). 'Sometimes you need a wee bit of good fortune as well. We didn't quite have that, but some of them hit the post and the bar. You have to give credit to their keeper and to St Mirren. 'Teams aren't just going to roll up here. We see a lot of them. Teams are banked up and tight and compact. You've got to move side to side, to penetrate, to cross, to create half-spaces for crosses, all these things. 'There is no space, it's not a 50-50 game like Newcastle or Sporting Lisbon for example, that you've seen in pre-season. There's no space, it's tight, it's compact and I thought the players came through so well. We got into a lot of good areas. We created a lot today and dominated the game.' Asked for his thoughts about the Champions League play-off double header, Rodgers continued, 'I'm feeling really good. We've had a great, really, really good pre-season. The players are shaping up very well and are working very hard. There's real spirit and solidarity here in the team. So we look forward to that. Read more: 'We know whoever we get it's going to be tough, but it will also be tough for them. And we will accept whatever challenge comes. We'll be ready for the games. Whenever they come, we'll be ready. The players are working very hard. They are always tense games. But we're in a good place and we'll take that game on when it comes.' Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, the Manchester City centre-back, watched the game from the stands and Rodgers is hopeful that Celtic can finalise his season-long loan deal at Parkhead in the coming days. 'We're still waiting for clearance on that one,' he said. 'But he's up here. Obviously, once it's definite, then it'll be announced. But, yes, he's up here and is ready for the move. 'Your centre-halves need to be strong at Celtic. Sometimes you're not doing a great deal. You're stood on the halfway line and you're attacking a lot of the time. But you also need to be able to defend space. That area is always so important in any team. Your centre-halves need to be dominant and we've got really good options there now.' Rodgers feels that he needs to increase competition for places in the front three before the transfer window closes on September 1. 'It's just about improving,' he said. 'There's areas that we want to improve in the forward line. That's something that we hope we can do over these remaining weeks.'
Daily Mirror
40 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Bruno Fernandes in flare-up with Everton star as Man Utd own goal costs win
MAN UTD 2-2 EVERTON: Bryan Mbeumo made his first appearance in a United shirt, but Everton twice battled back to earn a draw in Atlanta after a bizarre Ayden Heaven own goal Manchester United and Everton played out a draw in the final game of the Premier League Summer Series at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Bruno Fernandes gave United the lead from the penalty spot, before Iliman Ndiaye equalised with a fine angled finish. Substitute Mason Mount restored United's lead, but an Ayden Heaven own goal 15 minutes from time ensured it ended honours even. Ruben Amorim's side lifted the trophy, after remaining unbeaten in the Stateside mini-tournament, with two wins and a draw. Here are five talking points from the final fixture of the US tour: BRYAN MBEUMO MAKES ENCOURAGING UNITED DEBUT Bryan Mbeumo made his long-awaited United debut, following his £71million move from Brentford, having sat out the first two tour games in the US to work on his fitness. Playing as a right-sided No.10, Mbeumo had a quiet start to the game, but played a role in United's opener, delivering a first-time pass to Amad, who won a generous penalty when he went down after little contact from James Tarkowski, with Fernandes converting from the spot. Mbeumo had earlier been involved in a slick attacking move involving Fernandes, Amad and Matheus Cunha, the latter unable to get his shot on target. Mbeumo was unlucky not to score just before the half-hour, when he had two shots blocked in quick succession, racing on to the loose ball after Jordan Pickford had blocked a Fernandes effort. Mbeumo was replaced at half-time by Patrick Dorgu and United's newest recruit still has work to do to get up to full fitness for the start of the new season. UGARTE STILL A LIABILITY AT TIMES Manuel Ugarte was one of United's most impressive players in their opening tour game, a 2-1 win over West Ham at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium. Pressing high, winning back possession with tenacity and speed, Ugarte's high-tempo performance suggested he was in pole position to start United's Premier League opener at home to Arsenal on August 17. Here, though, the Uruguay midfielder's shortcomings resurfaced, never more so than in the 40th minute, when he attempted to bring the ball out from just outside of his own penalty area, only to be dispossessed by James Tarkowski. Idrissa Gueye picked up the loose ball and crossed for Iliman Ndiaye, who applied a clinical angled finish at the far post to make it 1-1. The goal was entirely Ugarte's fault and it remains to be seen if Amorim feels he can trust him to start against Arsenal. A HUGE SEASON AWAITS FOR MAINOO At the start of United's US tour, Amorim said he had 'big plans' for Kobbie Mainoo this season, in contrast to last term, when the England midfielder fell out of favour under his new boss. A sub for United's final three games, Maino came on with a minute left as United lost the Europa League final to Tottenham. On tour, however, Amorim's selection and praise of Mainoo suggests the 21-year-old will play a bigger role in the upcoming season. 'Mainoo, with those feet, playing the ball, if he finds the right pace, I will find a new solution,' said Amorim. 'He's going to be faster.' Unlike Ugarte, Mainoo looked assured in midfield, with Fernandes – who played deeper in the previous game - operating higher up the pitch. Given the way last season fizzled out for him, the upcoming one is one of huge significance for Mainoo, for club and country, with the World Cup back here in the US at the end of it. MASON MOUNT GOAL A TIMELY REMINDER OF HIS QUALITY Having been a hostage to injury for most of his two seasons at United, following his £60m move from Chelsea, Mason Mount has become a somewhat forgotten man. Although he ended last season on a positive note, returning to the starting line-up for the Europa League final and scoring three goals, the jury remains out on Mount because of his unavailability through injury. But on tour he has looked sharp and, most importantly, free from the persistent injury issues that have held him back from showing his best since joining United. Here, Mount showcased his goal threat, producing a fine angled finish 10 minutes after coming on in the second-half, to put United ahead. Although there will be huge competition at United next season, with one game a week following their failure to qualify for Europe, Mount has served notice he can play a key role and make up for lost time. FERNANDES AND NDIAYE FLARE-UP GIVES EDGE TO GAME Too often, these pre-season games can be insipid affairs, where players play within themselves to avoid injury or overload before the start of the new campaign. But there has been a competitive edge to all six games as part of the Premier League Summer series and, in this encounter, some needle between United skipper Fernandes and Everton goalscorer Iliman Ndiaye. Deep into the second-half, Fernandes tried to recover the ball from Ndiaye, with a robust challenge from behind that the Senegal forward deemed too excessive. Pushes were exchanged between Fernandes and Ndiaye, with team-mates rushing to intervene between them, while play continued and Everton made it 2-2 with an own goal from Ayden Heaven. When the dust had settled on their flare-up, Fernandes and Ndiaye made up, but not before both had been shown yellow cards.
