For a Newcastle United fan, there is nothing scarier than the words: ‘Javier Manquillo is starting’. The Spanish defender, formerly of Sunderland, has given himself a dire reputation for his shocking performances in black and white and after Paul Dummett suffered an injury whilst featuring for Wales against Denmark, it has given Manquillo a chance.
Paul Dummett’s injury last night looked serious and that would be a big blow for #nufc considering our back-up left-back is Javi Manquillo who is a right-back.
— NUFC360 (@NUFC360) November 17, 2018
Suffering an injury blow whilst your players are away and featuring for their country is the worst thing for a fan to have to deal with and this time around is no different for The Magpies. After failing to win in their opening ten games, Rafa Benitez has turned the club’s fortunes around and they now sit 14th having won their last two matches against Watford and Bournemouth, who both started well this season.
Now, though, it looks like it could be about to go back downhill for Benitez and co as the Spanish tactician looks to have no choice but to field his countryman at left-back. Next up for The Geordies are matches against Burnley, West Ham and Everton and it could prove to be an even tougher test for the club now that it will be Manquillo lining up against the likes of Richarlison, Felipe Anderson and Johann Gudmundsson.
You can read The Geordies’ verdict on the Dummett set-back here:
https://twitter.com/McguiganLuke/status/1063762451819184128
Dust Lazaar off from out of storage
— Mr Wheal (@MrWheal) November 17, 2018
Where’s Kevin Mbabu when you need him?
— Rory C (@Culzo88) 17 November 2018
https://twitter.com/shauni46/status/1063768752481816576
Manquillo should not be anywhere the first team
— Jason Miller (@rough_justice76) November 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/Jack_Rogers97/status/1063847932288479233
There's a few left backs in that squad….they should all be 'left back' on the team bus.
— Look SkyWalker (@lookskywalker67) November 17, 2018
And he's javier manquillo
— Dan Ewing (@DanewinG91) November 17, 2018
Stop. Lazaar time.
— Sam (@Funguslover) November 17, 2018
The Magpies all know how Manquillo is capable of throwing games away on his own and they’ll hope that Rafa can find a way to set up his side without the Spaniard.
