On Sunday afternoon, Kieran Trippier will likely lead Newcastle United out under the iconic Wembley arch as the captain of a side who have undergone unimaginable change and improvement in the last 18 months.
However, in an alternative reality not very far away, Trippier could have been wearing the red of Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final had his time in Madrid ended prematurely.
Born locally in the Greater Manchester town of Bury, it was the Red Devils that Trippier supported as a boy, although his career started in the academy of nearby neighbours Manchester City, for whom he never made a senior appearance.
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The England international got his first taste of senior football on loan at Barnsley, but it was at Burnley and then Tottenham Hotspur where his reputation really grew, eventually in 2019 earning him an unexpected move overseas to Spanish giants Atlético Madrid, becoming the first Englishman to play for La Rojiblancos for 95 years.
In what turned out to be his final season in the Spanish capital, Trippier was a key member of the side that won La Liga, just the second time they had done so in 21st century, pipping city rivals Real Madrid to the title on the final day of the 2020/21 season.
That summer, following an impressive showing at the European Championship, his boyhood club came calling, Manchester United, then managed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, keen to build on an encouraging campaign of their own by adding the decorated full back to their ranks.
Atlético manager Diego Simeone was stubborn in insisting Trippier’s release clause was met, which was deemed too high by the United hierarchy, and so the now Magpies vice-captain, remained in the Spanish capital until the following January when Newcastle got their man.
Trippier recounted how the situation unfolded in an interview with The Athletic in January of last year. “After the Euros, there was really strong interest,” he explained. “I've got to be careful what I say because I don't want to get into trouble, but yeah, there was interest.
“We had conversations, but Atletico Madrid just wanted my release clause, and it was a lot of money for a 30-year-old. So, I understand why Man United didn't do that. There were other clubs interested. Anyway, it's gone now, so it doesn't bother me.
“I had lots of conversations with the manager [Diego Simeone] and behind the scenes with the Atletico president. They made it clear they didn't want me to go, but I had a couple of family reasons for why I needed to come back.”
The right back, known for his deliveries and threat from set pieces, has since gone from strength to strength in the North East; instantaneously adding the necessary experience, character and quality to aside bereft of these qualities under the previous regime, and symbolizing what has been an impressive rise ever since.
“I wanted to come back to the north, and up north, there was only Newcastle interested. But I know the manager [Howe], and I've worked with him before [at Burnley], and I had good chats with him about the project and what could happen.
“I thought that maybe I could tempt other players to come here, too, that if I've joined Newcastle, maybe it shows we can get out of it. It's going to be difficult, but I'm up for it. It's perfect timing for my family and me.”
On Sunday, the 32-year-old faces his boyhood club and the side he came close to joining 18 months ago, but the only thing on his mind will be lifting the long-awaited trophy that the Newcastle faithful have craved and yearned for for so long. Trippier knows what it means.
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