Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
KANE DIDN’T GET A RED AND DIDN’T EVEN SAY SORRY
Lejeune reveals pain and anger after tackle by ‘great’ Harry
FLORIAN LEJEUNE has revealed his anger at Harry Kane for wrecking the start of his Newcastle career.
The French defender was crocked in a bad tackle by Kane in the first game of the season – making him miss two months with ankle ligament damage.
Lejeune insists Kane should have been red-carded for the challenge, but went unpunished. And he is fuming that he’s not had an apology from the England captain.
Lejeune, 26, spent a difficult spell on Tyneside regaining his fitness and is back in Rafa Benitez’s side.
He said: “It was frustrating. I don’t think it was revenge or anything like that. It was just the way it was done and that there were no apologies after.
“Was I surprised there was no apology? Yes and no. At first I was angry.
“We all make mistakes, we all make fouls. I think an apology would have been great especially from such a great player and the England captain.
“I was angry then, but have moved on. Then again it is football and things like this happen all the time. It was a very difficult time for me because I had only just arrived here, a new club and a new country, and I was trying to establish myself in the team.
“I had prepared very well and then suddenly I got injured and I was very frustrated.
“I had to see a specialist and then I worked really hard and am pleased that I am now back in the squad.
“There is a good atmosphere in the group here so that helped me.
“What was difficult was not having any training and then coming back and having to train on my own, being with the physio on my own and going later to the training ground after everyone else.
“It was a hard time. But at the end of the day everyone was very good with me. I really feel as if I am part of this squad.”
Lejeune, signed from Eibar for £8.8million, spent a wasted year at Manchester City and also played for Villarreal.
He says running out at Old Trafford today is the next step on his way up, which he hopes will end in the French squad.
Lejeune will attempt to shackle Romelu Lukaku, who hasn’t scored in United’s last seven games, with “good aggression”.
He added: “It is a privilege to play against such great players as Rashford and Lukaku, who will play at the World Cup.
“I am concentrating to be in the Newcastle first team, and not on the bench. France? Who knows, maybe one day.”
Benitez is plotting a strong performance against old foe Jose Mourinho, and Lejeune said: “Rafa is one of the top coaches in the world.
“What he says, you do. He gives us detail other coaches don’t. With him it is about preparation and tactical play. He tells us to concentrate, play a simple but aggressive game.”