Trent Alexander-Arnold was one of the best and worst right backs Manchester United ever faced

It was Trent Alexander-Arnold's good fortune that his first Premier League start was against Anthony Martial. Of the 14 times he played against Manchester United, that was easily Alexander-Arnold's most accomplished defensive performance. He was aged 18 years and three months.

United were on a winning run of nine games - still their best sequence in the last 15 years - when they hosted Liverpool in January 2017. Alexander-Arnold had three career starts to his name, all in cup games.

Martial lasted 65 minutes. United recovered from a goal down to draw 1-1 but their momentum had waned and they won one of their next four fixtures. Jose Mourinho was so piqued by Martial's performance he omitted him from the next two matchday squads at Stoke City and Hull City. He was only recalled against Championship relegation fodder Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup.

Fourteen months later, Alexander-Arnold was pitted against a different left winger. Marcus Rashford destroyed him in a two-goal matchwinning performance.

The BBC used to air Can't Cook, Won't Cook. With Alexander-Arnold, it is a case of can't defend, won't defend. He only lost three times against United and was tantamount to their 12th man in a couple of them.

Cast your mind back to United's first victory under Erik ten Hag on that balmy August evening in 2022 and Alexander-Arnold was at the scene of the crime twice. He could not be bothered to chase Anthony Elanga after his one-two with Christian Eriksen for Jadon Sancho's opening goal.

Alexander-Arnold was such a liability even Martial got the better of him that time. Martial was sent on for Elanga for the second half, the first instance of Ten Hag's in-game management back when it was influential. Rashford switched from centre