Manquillo's making himself at home

The former Atlético Madrid full back is the subject of the Big Interview in the Magpies official matchday programme, United, for Saturday’s visit of Crystal Palace (3pm kick-off).

In it, he discusses his winding career path, which has taken him from the Bernabéu to the Vicente Calderón, to Anfield and the Stade Vélodrome, and from the Stadium of Light to St. James’ Park.

Manquillo, 23, signed a three-year deal with Rafa Benítez’s side in July, becoming his compatriot’s fourth signing of the summer transfer window.

And he hopes making a permanent move away from Atlético after three seasons on temporary deals will allow him to flourish.

“That’s why I’m here, why I wanted to sign this three-year contract. I need that stability, I need to find a home, and a place where I can settle in and develop,” he told United.

“Starting at a new club every year was a bit crazy, because wherever you go, you start from zero. It’s really important for me to find that stability. It was a crucial aspect of my decision.

“You might finish a season really strongly, playing, consolidated in the team and the starting XI, but when you go to another club you have to make up a lot of ground. You have to get to know your city, your colleagues, your manager. In a sense, it’s as if all that progress you made, fighting your way into the team, is lost.

“Every time you join a new club you want to show them what you are about, show them what you can give, what type of player you are, and find your place in the starting XI. When you keep changing clubs every year, it can become a very tiresome process.”

Manquillo – who was already familiar with Newcastle, having spent time in the city during his loan spell with the Black Cats last term – also speaks about the city, the influence of Benítez and coming through the ranks at Atlético, just as Diego Simeone was beginning to revitalise the Spanish giants and steer them towards the La Liga title.

“It was a childhood dream. I cherish everything I experienced during those times. It was the dream of a child becoming reality,” he explains.

“What Diego Simeone achieved was in uniting everyone and focussing people. It was a unique experience. There was a very compact dressing room with a sense of togetherness, and that’s why we ended up winning the league, because someone managed to create that atmosphere. He brought all those people together into a dressing room that was very tight.

“I have excellent memories. I’ve always been an Atlético fan, and I have a lot to thank them for. I am where I am because of Atlético Madrid, and they gave me my chance.”

Also in Saturday’s issue, former Magpies forward David Kelly speaks about his time at United and coming up against Peter Beardsley’s Under-23s while in caretaker charge of Port Vale in the Checkatrade Trophy earlier this month.

Ticket Operations Manager Stephen Tickle is the latest member of staff to tell their story in United Backstage, and promising midfielder Dan Barlaser is profiled in High Hopes.

There’s plenty of historical content too, with Club Historian Paul Joannou taking a look at the structure from which our opponents take their name, and there’s also a look at past meetings between the two clubs and the programmes that were produced for those games.

To read all of this in full – plus much more – pick up a copy of United on Saturday, which will be available around St. James’ Park and in the club store, priced at just £3.