Kieran Trippier lifts lid on moment he almost signed for Manchester United but states he has no regrets

Newcastle United star Kieran Trippier says he has no regrets over missing out on a dream move to Manchester United three years ago.

The England full-back had been linked with the Red Devils after requesting a move back to the Premier League following a successful stint with Atletico Madrid. But Newcastle moved quickly in January 2022 to make the defender their first big signing after the club's Saudi-backed takeover in autumn 2021.

The bargain £10million deal ended hopes of a move to the club his family supported during his childhood. However, Trippier is happy how things turned out.

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Trippier said: "When I was in Madrid, the season before I left it was a tough year for me for numerous reasons. I just wanted to come back to England, my family was finding it difficult at the time.

"I could have stayed at Atlético Madrid, I could have signed a new three year contract. Simeone in the car park on the day I was leaving didn’t want me to go but it was the right thing at the right time for my family.

"As players you have to be realistic of where you can go. I knew I wasn’t going to sign for Manchester City or Liverpool, I knew I was restricted to certain clubs. [Manchester] United did come [in for me] straight after the Euros and that was very close.

"I grew up with my family being reds, but it didn’t happen. Everything happens for a reason."

Trippier helped Newcastle secure their Premier League status in 2022 and was the driving force to the Magpies' first Champions League qualification a year later. A dip in form for Trippier, coupled with a slide from fourth to seventh in the Premier League table, proved to be part of the narrative for his third season, but the 33-year-old feels Newcastle are moving in the right direction.

Trippier was speaking on The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet said: "I feel like when I first signed for Newcastle, we were going through a tough moment. We got beat by Cambridge in my first game and you could see around the place that it was just about believing.

"We signed good characters, Dan Burn, he is a great leader, Matt Targett, myself, and Bruno who has been remarkable.

"I think at the time it was about bringing the right characters into the team because I have been in a dressing before where sometimes if one has an ego, it’s like a domino effect that is dangerous for a team.

"The players we signed that year were perfect for that season. Unfortunately, I broke my foot that year, which I was devastated about, but what the team went on to do was incredible. The manager is a big believer in high standards, always respect the staff, kitman, whoever it may be. He certainly set the tone, I have worked with him before, and he demands a lot from me."