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Mapou Made Up To Be Manu's Mate
Written by Newcastle Utd
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa believes new signing Emmanuel Riviere will terrify top flight defences this season
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa believes new signing Emmanuel Riviere will terrify Barclays Premier League defences, having had first-hand experience of the striker's talent.
Riviere arrived from Monaco earlier this month and netted on his first United appearance - in their opening game of the Football United Tour 2014 against Sydney FC.
Full of pace and power, Riviere has already declared his game perfect for the English top flight, and Yanga-Mbiwa is in full agreement.
In fact, the Newcastle United centre-back is just happy to be lining up alongside Riviere, rather than against him.
"The Club did well to get Manu," Yanga-Mbiwa told nufc.co.uk.
"He has looked good so far and will get more confidence the longer he is here.
"I have played against him a lot of times in France and also in the national team at youth level.
"I don't like playing against him! He is strong, has good movement, likes to run at defenders and scores goals - it is very hard for defenders against him.
"I'm happy to be on his team now, so I don't have to play against him!"