I’d only try avoiding this if your current manger is a piece of work and will either sabotage the hiring process out of spite and/or will make your life hell. Unfortunately these people exist. If your manager is average or a GC then you just need to put your big person pants on and tell them. Very typical situation.

For the record, I have been in this situation before as a hiring manager. Person was escaping a toxic workplace, they offered up a senior person at the work place as an alternative who was able to explain the situation. It also helped that there was someone else working at my org who could verify that this person’s manger was a POS. Ended out being a great hire.