Ex-NUFC reject linked with shock move to Man Utd – A rare mistake by Rafa Benitez?

Just a year after being sold by Rafa Benitez, former NUFC full-back Kevin Mbabu is believed to be attracting interest from Manchester United according to reports from Switzerland.

The 23-year-old made just five appearances at Newcastle and, despite showing real promise during the odd chance he was given, he joined Swiss giants BSC Young Boys last summer.

To say he’s impressed since returning to Switzerland would be an understatement – leaving many (including myself) to wonder just why he wasn’t given a proper chance by Rafa Benitez.

He’s helped them beat FC Basel to their first league title in over 30 years, bagged 2 goals and 8 assists from right-back, is being tipped to earn a call-up to the Swiss national side for this summer’s World Cup and is now being linked with a move to Man Utd.

The story claims that several of their star players are now being courted after such an impressive season (their centre-back Kasim Nuhu has actually been linked to Newcastle), and it’s said that Jose Mourinho now has an eye on Mbabu as he looks to replace Matteo Darmian at right-back – with AC Milan also credited with interest.

Who knows if this is even true, but, either way, Mbabu’s form with Young Boys has been good enough to suggest he should’ve been given more of a chance at Newcastle.

It sounds easy to say in hindsight, but I genuinely feel we made a mistake in letting him go – whether this Man Utd link is true or not. His pace, power and athleticism was there for all to see, so I would have loved to see how he could’ve come on under Rafa’s watchful eye.

Who knows why he ended up leaving last summer – maybe he was home sick and unsettled in England – but this does look like another one we may live to regret.

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

 

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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