Former Newcastle United full-back Kevin Mbabu made his Champions League debut on Wednesday evening, starting Young Boys' first ever game in the competition as they played host to Manchester United.
Strangely, the Magpies decided to ship the Switzerland international off to Young Boys despite the youngster putting in a number of solid performances.
The 23-year-old left St James' Park to return to his homeland in 2017, but did however leave a lasting impression on the supporters in Tyneside as he became a fan favourite.
Mbabu made just five first-team appearances for Newcastle, but his performance against Chelsea in 2015, in which he shackled the likes of Pedro and Eden Hazard, showed the Swiss' true talents.
On his debut in Europe's greatest club competition, Mbabu held his own, defending impressively against United and dealing comfortably with the likes of Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial.
Unsurprisingly, Magpies supporters took to Twitter to voice their discontent at the club's decision to sell the clearly talented defender...
Lucky we got such a massive fee for Kevin Mbabu isn’t it lads? ...lads?!
— NUFCfans․com (@nufcfans) September 19, 2018
Mbabu is gonna end up at somewhere like Man City or Chelsea isn’t he.. ffs Newcastle.
— KEVIN MBABU FAN. (@randallbell) September 19, 2018
Said from the absolute start Kevin Mbabu was gunna be unreal and we should never of let him go, stand by it completely. He’s still so young with so much talent
— kendall ♛ (@kendallrowanx) September 19, 2018
Rafa let Mbabu and Mitrovic leave and signed Manquillo and Joselu. I love Rafa but just saying
— Leroy (@LeroyNUFC) September 19, 2018
Kevin Mbabu has just absolutely burned Fred. The one that got away for #NUFC I think.
— Jordan Cronin (@jordancronin_) September 19, 2018
That Mbabu looks alright, we should get him at #NUFC
— Daniel Thpson (@danthompson78) September 19, 2018
Lol at Kevin Mbabu being class. Textbook NUFC.
— Jenky (@_Jenky88) September 19, 2018
Why did Newcastle let Mbabu go, he’s an absolute baller
— Michael Page (@michaelpage77) September 19, 2018
Watching Mbabu like pic.twitter.com/A91ZnTPy8j
— Tony Coleman (@TonyColeman96) September 19, 2018
Source: 90min
