Free-kick magician Trippier proves Man Utd wrong

Carlo Garganese

• 13 Feb 2022 10:38 CST
• 4 min read

Kieran Trippier has been a Newcastle United player for just over a month but is already looking like one of the signings of the Premier League season.

Trippier joined Newcastle from Atletico Madrid on January 8 for a fee of €12 million plus add-ons. That transfer fee looks like a bargain as the right-back has inspired a Newcastle team that looked destined for relegation out of the drop-zone.

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Newcastle have won three Premier League games in a row to open up a four-point cushion from 18th placed Norwich – with a game in hand on the Canaries.

Trippier has been a revelation. He has been a leader, he has helped shore up a leaky defence and his technical quality from set-pieces and crosses has shone through.

On Sunday, he scored his second free-kick in successive matches – whipping home the only goal from just outside the area in the 1-0 win over Aston Villa. This followed on from his stunning free-kick in the 3-1 victory over Everton on Tuesday.

Already, Trippier is the joint-top free-kick scorer in the Premier League this season, along with Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse.

Manchester United will be watching Trippier’s performances and kicking themselves for not signing the former Tottenham star last summer.

United were considering a move for Trippier after his brilliant Euro 2020, in which he set up England’s goal in the final defeat to Italy.

Trippier was widely expected to strengthen the right side of the Old Trafford club’s defence, which continues to be considered a weak link.

The 31-year-old revealed the reason why Man Utd did not complete a deal with him: they did not want to match Atletico Madrid’s demands.

What did Trippier say about failed Man Utd transfer?

“After the Euros, there was really strong interest,” Trippier told The Athletic. “I’ve got to be careful what I say because I don’t want to get into trouble, but yeah, there was interest.

“We had conversations, but Atletico Madrid just wanted my release clause and it was a lot of money for a 30-year-old, so I understand why Man United didn’t do that. There were other clubs interested…

“Anyway, it’s gone now, so it doesn’t bother me.”

It was previously reported by The Telegraph in December that Trippier’s release clause from his Atletico Madrid deal was €35m (£31m) – far in excess of what Newcastle ultimately purchased him for.

But even at that price, it would have been worth it if Trippier’s signing ensured Man Utd qualified for the Champions League.

The cost of failure will be much greater given what a cash-cow the Champions League is – and with Man Utd struggling to make it into the first four places.

Man Utd continue to persist with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot in the right-back position, with clearly neither good enough at this very high level.

Trippier has proved himself to certainly be good enough.