England star Kieran Trippier admits about failed Manchester United transfer

Kieran Trippier was “very close” to signing for Manchester United from Atletico Madrid.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted to sign a new right-back in the summer of 2021 to provide competition for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Trippier has been identified as his main target.

Atletico Madrid did not want to lose Trippier, who wanted to return to England for family reasons, and insisted he would only be sold if the £33m release clause in his contract was triggered.

United signed Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane in that summer transfer window and Trippier’s move did not materialise. Instead, he stayed at Atletico for a further six months and signed for Newcastle in January 2022 for a reduced fee of £12m.

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Trippier was considered an excellent signing for Newcastle and went on to play a key role for England. His versatility at full-back has made him an asset for Gareth Southgate and he is likely to start at left-back in the opening group game due to Luke Shaw’s lack of fitness.

Speaking ahead of Euro 2024, Trippier sat down for an interview with The Overlap and his failed move to United when Solskjaer was in charge was on the agenda.

“When I was in Madrid, the season before I left was a difficult year for me for several reasons. I just wanted to go back to England, my family was having a hard time at the time,” said Trippier.

“I could have stayed at Atletico Madrid, I could have signed a new contract for three years. (Diego) Simeone in the parking lot the day I was leaving didn’t want me to leave.

“But it was the right thing at the right time for my family. As players you have to be realistic about where you can go. I knew I wasn’t going to sign for Manchester City or Liverpool.

“I knew I was limited to certain clubs. United came (in my place) right 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. (The deal) just fell through. Ole was the manager at the time and everything seemed perfect, I was blown away, it was Manchester United, the biggest club in the world.

“It didn’t happen and I went back to Madrid. Six months later I went to Newcastle. Everyone raised their eyebrows, obviously people said he was after the money, and he was going for this and that.

“I’ve made it clear many times that I took less money to go to Newcastle than I did (staying) at Madrid. I didn’t have a relegation clause, even in the position I was in, I trusted the manager and that’s a factor key to why I came.”

Since Trippier’s failed move to Old Trafford, Diogo Dalot has become the club’s first-choice right-back and was named the Players’ Player of the Season in 2023/24.

Wan-Bissaka has entered the final year of his contract and could be sold this summer.

Trippier was talking about The Overlap, presented by Sky Bet.