Monday, August 10, 2026

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Monday, August 10, 2026

Mourinho Should Play Trent As A Midfielder – Phil Bardsley

Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold

Former Manchester United defender Phil Bardsley has tipped Jose Mourinho to transform Trent Alexander-Arnold’s role at Real Madrid. He recently had his say while speaking to the press, and fans have been reacting.

Suggesting that the England star should be deployed in a similar midfield position to David Beckham to supply Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, Phil revealed that Trent’s crossing and vision could become even more influential next season.

Bardsley added that Arnold’s creativity could be better utilised further forward rather than being tied to his traditional right-back role.

His words, “I love Trent Alexander-Arnold but I would be shocked to see him in a Manchester United shirt but it will be interesting to see what happens to him at Real Madrid, whether Jose Mourinho fancies him or not.

We talk about his defending being an area where he needs to improve but he creates so many chances, and Madrid have so many willing runners, that you could just play him on the right in midfield. He’d play the role David Beckham used to play for Real, pinging balls for Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior to run onto because Trent is finding you no matter what.

I think Mourinho will look at that and carve out a different sort of role for him, and it’d suit him down to the ground with the amount of time he’d get on the ball and the passes he could play. It wouldn’t be a bad idea at all but I can’t see him coming back to England to play for Manchester United. I can see him playing in a way that makes him the new David Beckham. Just not at United.

So far, so good. It’s hot and very intense. We’re in preseason, and that’s what we expected. With Mourinho? Very good, very good. I’ve always admired the coach. I’ve played against him a couple of times and it’s a pleasure to work with him and his team.”

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