Florian Thauvin reflects on his brief spell at Newcastle after 'growing up'

Thauvin joined the club from Olympique Marseille in the summer of 2015 in a £15million deal.

But the winger made just a handful of starts before before loaned back to the Ligue 1 team for the second half of the 2015-16 campaign.

Thauvin rejoined Marseille this season on a loan and a permanent deal was triggered after three appearances.

United manager Rafa Benitez revealed last week why he sanctioned the deal.

And Thauvin, called up to the senior France squad for the first time after hitting form at the Stade Velodrome, has been speaking about his time at Newcastle.

“My season in Newcastle, even if it was complicated, did me good," the 24-year-old told RMC.

"It made me grow up and I became another man on my way back from England.

“I’m 24 years old now. It’s been a while since I’ve been working on myself to be consistent at every game. My visit to England made me feel good and made me understand certain things about high level requirements.

“I hope to be ready for this new status, and will do my utmost to maintain those levels.”

On the deal which took him back to Marseille, he added: “It was a loan with an automatic purchase.

“After three games I belonged to Marseille, so it was almost a transfer. No doubt, I’ll be at Marseille next season.”

Benitez, meanwhile, felt that Thauvin was not "comfortable" on Tyneside.

“I have been in contact with him," he said. “We knew when he was here that he was a good player.

“But sometimes a player is not settled down in a city or a club or whatever and he has to go to another place that maybe he is more comfortable and can play at his level.

“With him, it was very clear from day one. We knew what was the best for both.

“Now I’m happy because he is going with the national team and that is good news for him.”