They are a select group, numbering just three. Sir Bobby Charlton, Gary Lineker and Kieran Trippier are the only Englishmen to score in a World Cup semi-final and if the right-back feels an incongruous presence in such distinguished company, it nevertheless underlines what a coup it would be for Newcastle to sign him.
Since their takeover by the consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, there have been questions about who would be lured to Tyneside by Newcastle’s status among the super-rich, but also increasing suspicions that their plight might deter many a player with options and ambitions.
Half-way through the season, United have a solitary win. Only Norwich, Watford and Burnley are within eight points of them. They don’t have much margin for error now.
Trippier’s willingness to become the first arrival of the new era is instructive. Right-backs are rarely statement signings but in a way he is. He should be classed as one of his country’s most successful exports: by winning La Liga with Atletico Madrid’s underdogs and being a cornerstone of its most frugal defence, perhaps he ranks second only to Steve McManaman among English footballers in La Liga in the last three decades.
Well as Newcastle played against Manchester United, he looks far too good for this team. Trading Diego Simeone’s well-drilled rearguard – albeit more porous than usual this season – for Newcastle’s sometimes shambolic defence is a contrast.
Trippier could have been facing Barcelona and Real Madrid next season. Instead, he may line up against Barnsley and Rotherham. One of only 22 players to start for England in the final of a major international tournament is taking a risk ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
But if there have long been hints that Trippier was keen to return to his homeland, it is notable he was a target for Manchester United last year. In the summer, if not now, he could have attracted suitors higher up the table: indeed both United and his former club Tottenham could benefit from a crosser of his calibre at right-back.
For Newcastle, he represents a huge upgrade. Either in a back four or five, their right-sided defenders this season have been the winger Jacob Murphy, Javier Manquillo and Emil Krafth. A side with a solitary clean sheet this season have been particularly poor in both full-back positions.
Newcastle 1 Manchester United 1: player ratings
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NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Martin Dubravka - 6: Had home hearts in mouths when charging out of area to sweep up attack just before half hour. Palmed dipping Rashford shot over bar at start of second half. Dropped cross and sliced clearance in injury time to send jitters around St James’ Park. Reuters -
Emil Krafth - 7: Swedish right-back put perfect ball into middle for Saint-Maximin just after break that Frenchman should have scored from. Booked for pulling shirt of Rashford. AFP -
Fabian Schar - 7: A few all or nothing challenges that, happily for the Swiss, came off in first half. Played well at back in spirited Newcastle defensive display. Reuters -
Jamaal Lascelles - 7: Captain been part of a – rightly – much maligned Newcastle defence this season but looked solid at St James’ Park right up until Cavani bundled home 71st minute leveller. Cleared another off line after indecision with Dubravka almost gifted second to Cavani. AFP -
Javier Manquillo - 7: Spaniard did superbly to help keep likes of Greenwood and Rashford relatively quiet, so much so former was hooked at break. Dalot did find space down his wing to provide Cavani equaliser. Getty -
Ryan Fraser - 8: Heavy first touch meant Scot failed to take advantage of early Maguire error down right. Some crunching tackles that delighted home fans. Forced decent save from De Gea just after hour. Ran himself into ground in probably his best game for club. Reuters -
Jonjo Shelvey - 7: Almost caught in possession a couple of times in opening quarter of an hour but then stung hands of De Gea with rasping strike after surging run. Still piling forward looking for winner until very end. PA -
Sean Longstaff - 7: Pinched ball off Varane and provided ball to Saint-Maximin for early opener. Impressive game in centre of park for Magpies, excellent pressing and some fine long passes. AP -
Joelinton - 9: Curled shot wide of target from edge of box 12 minutes in. Relentless workrate from Brazilian who has found his niche with deeper role under Eddie Howe. Booked for dissent. Outstanding with and without the ball. Reuters -
Allan Saint-Maximin - 8: Brilliant right-footed finish on the stretch to put side ahead after seven minutes. Missed sitter just after half-time after fine Krafth run and cross, then forced good save from De Gea from low strike. Limped off injured in last 10 minutes. Reuters -
Callum Wilson - 7: Had ball in net after 39 minutes following Saint-Maxmin run and pass but striker was caught offside. Went down in a lot of pain at end of first half after falling awkwardly, tried to carry on but forced off minutes later with what looked like calf problem. EPA -
SUBS: Jacob Murphy – (On for Wilson 45’ +6’) 8: On before half-time due to Wilson’s injury. Pace and pressing vital to Newcastle’s second-half performance. Cross-come-shot almost found way into bottom corner. Very unlucky to see late strike hit post. Getty -
Migel Almiron – (On for Fraser 75’) 7: Fine shot soon after Murphy hit post was heading for top corner only for De Gea to pull off brilliant save. Reuters -
Dwight Gayle – (On for Saint-Maximin 84’) N/A. Striker might have part to play in next few games if Wilson and Saint-Maximin injuries are bad. Getty -
MANCHESTER UNITED: David De Gea - 9: Record of clean sheets under new boss was quick to go – not that the Spaniard could do much as he watched the ball fly in. Saved a strong 23rd minute Shelvey shot and made a vital save from Saint Maximin on 46 – and again on 62 from Fraser. And again and again and again – the best from Almiron - which wasn’t easy on a slippy surface. EPA -
Diogo Dalot - 5: Early cross into six-yard box was too close to goalkeeper. Found it tough when up against Saint-Maximin, but set up Cavani for United’s equaliser. EPA -
Harry Maguire - 5: Shaky against Wilson and he twice mis-controlled the ball against a side with one win in 19 league matches. Got in front of Almiron to stop a 90th minute attack. Reuters -
Raphael Varane - 5: Back after missing eight games with a thigh injury and his pondering led to Newcastle’s opening goal. Gave ball away on 34 to set up another home attack. EPA -
Alex Telles - 6: A regular under his new boss. Not easy playing alongside two haphazard central defenders. Swung a ball towards Cavani as his side pushed for a winner. EPA -
Fred - 5: Busy as ever in front of the sell out 52,178 crowd, but Newcastle kept winning the ball in midfield – the area he was supposed to stop that happening. Good form until recently. Off at half time as United changed formation. EPA -
Scott McTominay - 5: Another who suffered in the first half as Newcastle passed around United’s press. Neat one-two with Fred in an otherwise highly unconvincing first half from his side which lacked aggression. Limped off after 78. PA -
Bruno Fernandes - 5: Failed to exploit the huge gaps in Newcastle’s defence. Outraged that he’d been pushed on 43, but the flag had gone up for offside. Cut a frustrated figure and was booked – he’ll miss Thursday’s game v Burnley. Tried the difficult passes and Involved in the goal. AFP -
Mason Greenwood - 6: Positive early movement and smart cross-field pass towards Fernandes. Shot blocked by Lascelles on 30. Off at half time. Reuters -
Marcus Rashford - 5: Got a lot of space on the right, but wasteful in his crosses. Nutmegged just before the break by Saint-Maximin. Excellent dipping shot on 48. His shot 12 minutes later would never be described as such. EPA -
Cristiano Ronaldo - 5: Failed to meet a 16th minute cross on his right foot. Yellow card – and he was fortunate it was only yellow. Led the line which struggled to create chances against a side who’ve conceded so many league goals. Reuters -
SUBS: Jadon Sancho – (On for Fred 46’) 6: Controlled the ball beautifully after 53 before shooting over. Set up Cavani on 54. Poor pass towards Ronaldo could have set him free on 88. AFP -
Edinson Cavani – (On for Greenwood 46’) 7: Made a difference. Skewed a shot wide on 54, then had a shot blocked on 71, before scoring as the ball came back to him. Another effort cleared off the line on 75. Spun a shot across the goal on 80. PA -
Nemanja Matic – (On for McTominay 78’) 6: His side dominated possession in the Tyneside drizzle – yet didn’t have the best chances. Getty
And yet, important as right-backs have become in recent years, footballing orthodoxy suggests Newcastle’s fate is likelier to rest on the spine of the side. Reinforcements are required. Callum Wilson’s calf injury leaves a desperate need for a goalscorer. A central midfielder might help. Centre-backs are an absolute must and Newcastle could do with securing two from a mooted list of targets that includes Sven Botman, James Tarkowski, Lloyd Kelly, Rob Holding, Nat Phillips and Joe Rodon.
For Eddie Howe, a reunion with a loyalist should offer a reminder a manager criticised for excessive spending at Bournemouth has a track record of transfer-market acumen: he signed a young Trippier for Burnley, initially on loan and then permanently, from Manchester City’s reserves. Howe has often been a talent spotter and now an initial £12 million ($16.2m) fee feels relatively cheap.
Trippier could have an added benefit. He brings kudos as well as quality delivery from the right. Perhaps his arrival will encourage others to believe in the Newcastle project, to back themselves to keep United up this season before they set their sights higher up the league. Or maybe he will have a release clause to ensure that Newcastle go down, he does not accompany them into the Championship. In the meantime, however, he is evidence of the pulling power Newcastle possess.
