Euro 2024 winner, retired and a non-league star - Where are the Newcastle side that beat Man City in 2019

Newcastle United will travel to reigning Premier League champions Manchester City next month looking to end their abysmal league record against Pep Guardiola’s side.

Although the current Magpies claimed a Carabao Cup win over City last season when Alexander Isak got the only goal at Gallowgate and have given Pep’s men some awkward moments at St James Park, as it stands, a 2-1 victory in January 2019 remains the last time a United side came out on top in a Premier League fixture.

On that night, it was City who made the better start as they race into the lead when Sergio Aguero netted inside the opening 60 seconds. That lead remained in place until the midway point of the season-half when on-loan striker Solomon Rondon grabbed an equaliser for a Newcastle side managed by Rafa Benitez before a foul on Sean Longstaff allowed Matt Ritchie to fire home a winner from the penalty spot.

That all came on the same day it was confirmed Newcastle had agreed a club record fee that would see Atlanta United winger Miguel Almiron move to Tyneside - and the Paraguayan international is now close to returning to the MLS side. But what of the men that would become his team-mates and those that were part of the last United side to claim all three points against City?

Starting XI

Martin Dubravka - The Slovakian international was still in the infancy of his time as a Magpies player after making an impressive debut against Manchester United just weeks earlier. Barring an unsuccessful loan spell with the Red Devils, Dubravka has remained with Newcastle and has impressed over the last two months after stepping in for the injured Nick Pope. As it stands, the experienced stopper will leave St James Park when his current contract comes to an end this summer.

DeAndre Yedlin - The American full-back was a big part of United’s push for promotion under Benitez and remained at the club until February 2021 when he joined Turkish giants Galatasaray on a two and a half year deal. Yedlin returned to the United States a year later to join an Inter Miami side managed by former Manchester United and Everton star Phil Neville before moving to MLS rivals FC Cincinnati in March last year.

Fabian Schar - Has their been a better value-for-money signing in Newcastle’s recent history? The former Swiss international remains a keen favourite with both the St James Park faithful and Eddie Howe. A consistent presence within the Magpies side, Schar is out of contract at the end of the season but it is almost certain he will be offered the opportunity to extend his time on Tyneside.

Jamaal Lascelles - The Magpies club captain remains at St James Park and is now in the final stages of his recovery from a serious knee injury that has kept him on the sidelines for almost a year. Lascelles could return before the end of next month - but is currently out on contract at the end of the season.

Florian Lejeune - The French defender felt like a shrewd addition by Benitez and looked calm and classy on the ball. However, injuries disrupted his time as a Magpie and he was allowed to join Spanish club Alaves on loan in September 2020 before making a permanent switch to the La Liga outfit during the following summer. Lejeune remained in Spain when he made a season-long loan move to Rayo Vallecano in July 2022 and is now a permanent member of their squad.

Matt Ritchie - United’s match winner on that night, Ritchie scored the penalty that still remains Newcastle’s last winning goal in a Premier League game against City. Remaining at St James Park throughout the remainder of Benitez’s reign and Steve Bruce’s time in charge, Ritchie was reunited with his former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe in November 2021 when the latter was appointed as Magpies boss. Ritchie left Newcastle last summer when his contract came to an end and returned to his first club Portsmouth on a free transfer.

Ayoze Perez - Perez left Newcastle around the same time as Benitez’s reign came to an end during the following summer. The Spanish forward moved to Leicester City after the Foxes triggered a reported £30m release clause in his contract and went on to lift the FA Cup with Brendan Rodgers’ side. A loan spell with Real Betis followed in January 2023 and that was converted into a permanent move when Perez became a free agent six months later. Perez is currently with Betis’ La Liga rivals Villarreal and was part of the Spain squad that won last summer’s European Championships with a final win against England.

Isaac Hayden - Along with midfield partner Longstaff, Hayden was the subject of wholesome praise from City boss Pep Guardiola after the win. The former Arsenal man is technically still a Magpie - although he has spent time out on loan at Norwich City, Standard Liege and Queens Park Rangers in recent seasons. Another loan spell was secured earlier this month when Hayden joined Championship strugglers Portsmouth for the remainder of the season.

Sean Longstaff - The Magpies academy product was still in the early days of his involvement within the first-team when he produced an eye-catching display against City. Longstaff remains a Magpie and has enjoyed some notable highs under current manager Eddie Howe but has struggled to find his way into the United side in recent weeks. Rumours of a possible departure before the end of the current transfer window have increased in recent days.

Christian Atsu - Atsu was a popular member of the Magpies squad throughout his time at Newcastle and remained popular following his departure to Saudi side Al-Raed in July 2021. Moving to Turkish club Hatyaspor just over a year later, the Ghana international and impressed during his early appearances for his new side. However, just a day after scoring the winning goal in a Turkish Cup tie against Kasimpasa, Atsu was killed in a major earthquake. His passing provoked an understandably emotional response from his former Newcastle team-mates and supporters alike.

Solomon Rondon - What is it they say about never falling in love with a loan signing? Rondon gave Newcastle an outlet that few forwards had in previous seasons and became popular with supporters throughout his time as a Magpie. However, with little chance of a permanent deal, Rondon returned to West Bromwich Albion before reuniting with Rafa Benitez at Chinese club Dalian International. After returning to the Premier League with the Spaniard to join Everton, Rondon went on to spend time with River Plate and is currently with Mexican club Pachuca.

Subs used

Kenedy (on for Atsu) - An impressive loan signing during the previous season, the Brazilian winger failed to make a similar impact during this second spell on Tyneside. After further loans at Getafe, Granada and Flamengo, Kenedy is currently with Spanish club Real Valladolid. Manquillo (on for Perez) - Never really let Newcastle down during his time as a Magpie - Manquillo left St James Park last January to join Celta Vigo and remains with the La Liga outfit.

Unused subs

Freddie Woodman - The goalkeeper is currently with Championship club Preston North End. Ciaran Clark - The Republic of Ireland international is currently without a club after leaving Stoke City at the end of last season. Federico Fernandez - The Argentine defender is now retired after seeing out the final days of his career in his home country with Estudiantes. Jacob Murphy - Still a Magpie, Murphy is enjoying the best season of his career and is increasingly integral in the United side. Callum Roberts - An unexpected move to Blyth Spartans kickstarted the winger’s career and after spells with Aberdeen and Notts County, Roberts is currently impressing with National League North promotion candidates Scunthorpe United.