Javier Manquillo’s recent performances have left a positive impression on a few Newcastle United supporters, who have now taken to social media to share their praise for the Spaniard after helping Steve Bruce’s Magpies beat Southampton on Sunday.
Manquillo had started the opening day defeat at home to Arsenal, with DeAndre Yedlin at the time sidelined with a groin injury and summer arrival Emil Krafth only named on the bench, but immediately fell to the substitutes list and would only start one league game between Matchday 2 and 13.
Bruce also omitted the 25-year-old from his Premier League teamsheets between Matchday 8 and 13, before recalling the Atletico Madrid product to the starting line-up for the visit of Manchester City to St. James’ Park, and keeping with the full-back away to Sheffield United and again on Sunday at home to Southampton.
Manquillo’s display at Bramall Lane during the week saw the former Spain U21 international register his first assist of the term in all competitions, and while he did not add another at the weekend, left fans impressed by his performance.
Our number 19 registered 37 touches on Sunday, with which he was successful with one of two attempted dribbles, connected with a teammate with 17 of his 21 passes and took one shot on goal, which was blocked, per WhoScored data.
How would you describe Manquillo's performance vs Southampton?
Man of the Match
Key to the result
Room for improvement
Absolutely awful
Manquillo did not record a key pass against Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints, but his 81% pass success rate was the second-best of all Newcastle players who featured – with Ciaran Clark (88%) the only man to better the Spaniard’s record, having only played the first half.
The £4.5million-rated full-back also won three of five ground duels, per Sofa Score statistics, but lost possession nine times and could not find a teammate with either of his two crosses.
Yet some supporters saw his efforts in a positive light, going by these messages shared on social media…
Manquillo may be my MOTM actually. Think he’s been solid today, in a pretty dire match. #nufc
— NUFC 360 (@NUFC360) December 8, 2019
he’s looked damn good!
— NixaMattR (@NixaMattR) December 8, 2019
Manquillo does t get enough credit for me! Amazing?? Certainly not but way better than Yedlin. As for Joelinton… Convinced there is a good player in there but with ASM out.. Play Carroll up top and Joelinton on the left. #nufc
— Lee J Rutter (@LeeJRutter2) December 8, 2019
One tweet I thought I’d never put out there is how impressed I’ve been with Manquillo this season. When called upon he’s been brilliant #nufc
— James Stewart (@SholaJimmyObi) December 8, 2019
I thought manquillo was class again today too #Nufc
— Rich Miller〽️⚫️⚪️Nufc⚫️⚪️ (@Rich1982Miller) December 8, 2019
He was on Thursday, and again today. I never rated him until these last few games, 🤷🏻♂️
— G Mac.🌹 (@Supermactoon) December 8, 2019
In other Newcastle United news, a Sky Sports pundit expects a £40k-p/w Toon man to force his way out of St. James’ Park in January.