Football Today
·15 June 2024
Newcastle star drops shock revelation: ‘very close’ to joining Man United in 2021
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Football Today
·15 June 2024
Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier has confirmed he came very close to joining Manchester United in 2021.
The Red Devils were in the market for a right-back and were keen to secure his services.
However, a deal did not materialise and he joined Newcastle for £12 million in the January transfer window.
Speaking with Gary Neville on The Overlap, Trippier admitted United were interested in signing him.
He said: “I wanted to come back to England – my family were finding it very difficult.
“I could’ve stayed at Madrid – I could’ve signed a new three-year contract, but as a player, you have to be realistic about where you can go.
“I couldn’t go to (Manchester) City or Liverpool as I was restricted to certain clubs.
“United came in straight after the Euros and that was very close. Obviously, growing up being a Red as well with all my family, but it didn’t happen.
“Everything happens for a reason – it just fell away really.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the United manager in 2021 and had the option of showing faith in Diogo Dalot or signing a new right-back.
The Red Devils attempted to sign Trippier with a bid of around £9 million, but Atletico Madrid wanted them to meet the £30m release clause in his contract.
Atletico subsequently accepted a £12m offer from Newcastle, who were operating under the new regime backed by the Saudi Arabian-led Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Dalot seized the opportunity and flourished, capitalising on United missing out on Trippier.
He returned from his loan at AC Milan as a much more confident defender, eager to contribute defensively and offensively.
Dalot has now established himself as the first-choice right-back under Erik ten Hag after a splendid season.
Trippier would have been a fine addition to the United squad, but the club made a wiser choice by trusting Dalot rather than opting for a short-term fix.