Man Utd could have their own Alexander-Arnold & he’s a “major problem”

Life as a homegrown, academy expertise is rarely easy, not least at a membership like Manchester United, with those that stand up into the primary crew typically met with lofty expectations and intense scrutiny.

Early goodwill proven towards a younger prospect from supporters can typically get replaced by negativity, with the fashionable sport significantly obsessive about wanting additional afield for brand spanking new skills, relatively than selling from inside.

A present instance might nicely be Kobbie Mainoo, with the 19-year-old having loved a surprising 2023/24 marketing campaign which resulted in a call-up to England’s Euro 2024 squad. Quick ahead lower than a yr, nevertheless, and the injury-hit teenager has turn into one thing of a forgotten man, with speak having been rife in January concerning a swift departure.

Fortunately, there have reportedly been constructive talks over a brand new contract for the midfield maestro, with it wanting as if his long-term future is ready to stay at Previous Trafford.

In contrast to Mainoo, nevertheless, not each member of Ruben Amorim’s squad will nonetheless be on the membership subsequent time period, with the Crimson Devils and INEOS maybe set to face their very own Trent Alexander-Arnold situation this summer season.

Man Utd’s notable homegrown exits

Maybe the worst-kept secret in soccer in current months had been Alexander-Arnold’s want to depart for Actual Madrid, with the 26-year-old’s future having been the centre of heated debate in Liverpool, amid his expiring contract.

As was extensively reported on Tuesday, it appears to be like as if that long-awaited change is lastly coming near completion, with the Englishman – who had been a product of the membership’s academy – set to finish his Anfield affiliation with a view to make the transfer to Spain this summer season.

These of a United persuasion will definitely bear in mind shedding one in all their very own to Madrid within the not-too-distant previous, with Class of 92 star David Beckham departing on a £25m deal in 2003, following a dispute with supervisor Sir Alex Ferguson.

Subsequent years additionally noticed Beckham adopted out the door by former youth crew colleagues, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt, with the pair becoming a member of Everton and Newcastle United, respectively, amid the seek for elevated sport time.

As these circumstances epitomised, not each graduate can attain the standing of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and Gary Neville as a one-club man, with newer instances having additionally seen a raft of homegrown, academy gross sales at Previous Trafford.

Certainly, simply final summer season, the brand new INEOS regime cashed in on Scott McTominay, with the midfielder becoming a member of Napoli on a £25m deal. Previous to that, Anthony Elanga had made the transfer to Nottingham Forest for £15m in 2023, whereas James Garner moved to Goodison for £9m in 2022.

These offers, it should be stated, seemed to be club-led amid the present PSR calls for, with few having maybe been as excessive profile as that of Alexander-Arnold’s impending change – till now, that’s.

Man Utd’s personal Alexander-Arnold state of affairs

A lot to the frustration of these on Merseyside, the playmaking full-back seems intent on severing ties along with his boyhood membership seeking a recent journey overseas, with the choice to depart on a free switch set to be a very contentious one.

So far as United are involved, the sale of Marcus Rashford this summer season would show far much less controversial, contemplating his exile from Amorim’s ranks, though it could be an identical state of affairs with regard to the tip of his prolonged keep in Manchester.

The 27-year-old – who’s presently on mortgage at Aston Villa – might be in line for a everlasting change to his momentary dwelling, with the Midlands aspect holding a £40m choice to purchase on the finish of the season.

Like Alexander-Arnold, nevertheless, Rashford seems to have his eyes set additional afield, with studies rife in January that the ahead was intent on sealing a dream transfer to Barcelona, having outlined his want for a “new problem” again in December.

There may be then a really actual prospect that the £300k-per-week United man might be lining up in opposition to his England colleague in LaLiga subsequent time period, ought to he get his want, with studies this month once more linking the Camp Nou giants with a summer season swoop.

Once more, not like Alexander-Arnold, the way and timing of Rashford’s exit wouldn’t be controversial, however like his compatriot, he has definitely been a serious speaking level at United lately.

Very like the controversy over the Liverpool man’s future doubtlessly being in midfield, relatively than at right-back, there have lengthy been query marks over Rashford’s function as a striker or a left-winger.

In any case, an exit has turn into virtually inevitable in fact, not least since he was unnoticed of the Manchester Derby again in December.

That seemed to be the newest signal of his woes, having additionally been punished by former boss Erik ten Hag final season, following a visit to Belfast forward of the FA Cup conflict with Newport County. As journalist Liam Canning put it, he had turn into a “main main drawback”.

After the highs of scoring 30 targets in 2022/23, simply 15 targets have adopted within the final 18 months or so, with the choice to maneuver him on to Villa Park marking the start of a tragic finish to his Crimson Devils affiliation.

When a probable transfer does happen this summer season, Rashford will be capable to look again on 5 main trophies, and 138 targets for the membership in all competitions. ‘Trent’, in the meantime, may have chalked up nicely over 80 assists and picked up his personal gamut of silverware.

For differing causes, these two native heroes can be shifting on this summer season, with each gamers maybe feeling a recent begin is required. For each males, this isn’t the way in which most thought it could finish.

As they are saying, ‘you both die a hero or reside lengthy sufficient to see your self turn into the villain’…

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